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Eddie Chikamhi in Harare and Albert Marufu in London

CAPS UNITED president Farai Jere says the death of club legend Joe “Kode” Mugabe has added another dark chapter to a depressing period in which the Premiership football club has lost key pillars since the beginning of the year.

Mugabe, who carried the aspirations of the Green Machine for over a decade, died of cancer in the early hours of yesterday morning in Reading, England.

He is survived by his wife Jennifer and three kids – Irene, Ashley and Alvin. 

Mugabe, who relocated to the United Kingdom at the turn of the millennium, was just a few weeks shy of his 53rd birthday.

Mugabe was co-captain of CAPS United when they won their first league championship, post-independence, in 1996.

His death comes as the Green Machine family were still trying to come to terms with the passing on of their 1996 championship winning coach, Steve “The Dude” Kwashi, who died in Harare two weeks ago.

Makepekepe president Jere said the history of the club was dealt a big blow this year as the Green Machine continues to lose its stalwarts.

They also lost the chairman of the 1996 league title-winning side Shepherd Bwanya and former player and coach Anthony Kambani, who both died in January. Ex-midfielder Butler Masango, who played for Makepekepe in the late 1990s, also passed away in May this year.

“We are so devastated as CAPS United family because Kode was a true legend who dedicated his career, from a young age, to the service of the club.

“This has been a sad year for the club. It’s so sad we are mourning again, barely a month after we said our goodbyes to Steve Kwashi. We have lost a number of our club luminaries this year like Kambani, Bwanya, Butler, Steve and now Joe.

“Football as a whole has been left poorer this year considering that our colleagues Dynamos also suffered the same fate following the deaths of legends David Mandigora, Misheck Chidzambwa and Simon Sachiti recently.  It’s so sad we had to go through all this,” said Jere.

Mugabe had a stellar career in the Green Machine colours which saw him being nominated Soccer Star of the Year finalist four times in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2001.

The former midfield kingpin was also the CAPS United Players’ Player of the Season a record four times in 1993, 1994, 1998 and 2001.

He had made his debut for the Green Machine in 1988 and went on to win a number of trophies during the halcyon days for Zimbabwe’s “Cup Kings”.

Mugabe was co-captain alongside Silver “Bhonzo” Chigwenje in the mid-1990s.   

 “Joe Mugabe is an undisputed club legend. He has a very enormous history with the club and has seen it all after graduating from the juniors all the way to be captain of the senior team,” said Jere.

“Mugabe came from the juniors and started off with cameo roles in the senior team as a young boy from Churchill High School.

 “In 1996, he was captain when we won the league title which changed the whole narrative about this team being winners. We used to specialise in being ‘Cup Kings’. So this was the first league title since Independence and from then on CAPS United have gone on to win more league titles.  

“When he (Mugabe) was appointed captain, he managed to bring order to the star-studded CAPS United changing room. It’s not an easy thing to do anywhere in the world but he managed that with ease.

“He had a big control in a changing room that had star players like the late Cheche Billiat, Alois Bunjira, Stewart Murisa, Farai Mbidzo, Mpumelelo Dzowa, Frank Nyamukuta, Morgan Nkhatazo, Charles Yohane, Edelbert Dinha and Dumisani Mpofu.

“He managed to bridge the gap between the generations after playing with the 1980s group that had the likes of Joel Shambo and Shacky Tauro with the one that had the likes of Alois Bunjira, Lloyd Chitembwe, etc.

“He had sound leadership qualities and this helped coach Steve Kwashi achieve the success in 1996. Many people knew him as ‘Kode’ but we used to call him ‘Mr CAPS United’. He was a leader on and off the pitch and I am sure Kwashi needed someone like him as captain,” Jere said.

Mugabe also had a stint with former Premiership side, Sporting Lions, that was owned by Chimurenga music legend Thomas Mapfumo as co-coach with Lloyd Mutasa in the early 2000s.  

At the time of his death, Mugabe was still involved in football development as chairman of the CAPS United Legends UK, a registered community organisation that is assisting in the growth of junior football in Zimbabwe.

He had partnered other former CAPS United players that includes Frank Nyamukuta, Timothy Chirozvani, Cannisius Tongesai, Liberty Masunda, Tichaona Nyenda, Leonard Chirozvani, Charles Chikeya and United States-based Mpumelelo Dzowa.

They have donated football kits to a number of academies in Zimbabwe in the last few years. Harare giants CAPS United were also beneficiaries of the group’s benevolence in 2017 when they received equipment sourced by the group of the club’s legends based in the United Kingdom.

Jere was invited on tour to the European country where he had meetings with former CAPS United players who included the legendary midfielder Mugabe and defender Nyamukuta.

“I went to the UK some few years back and we got football equipment and other accessories from these guys. They are so passionate about grassroots development.

“They have also been able to donate, not only to CAPS United juniors, but to other football academies as well,” said Jere.

Mugabe had also done a number of sports management courses in the UK with a view of getting into football administration in the future. 

The football world yesterday expressed shock at the death of the former midfield kingpin. 

His brother Innocent Mugabe said he has lost a brother and father.

“Joe’s death is a great loss to my family. He had complained of a stomach ailment for some time and when they finally diagnosed that it was cancer, it was too late.

“I learnt a lot from him. He taught me to work hard for anything that I wanted. I remember asking him for his Natbrew jersey which he had used in a Cup final and he refused.

“He told me to work hard and also play in the final. Indeed, I played in the National Foods final with him for CAPS United and got my own jersey. So he taught me how to fish and not ask for fish. Joe would never give you his car to drive for luxury. He would say work hard and buy yours. It’s a life lesson I got from him,” Innocent said.

Former Dynamos captain, Memory Mucherahowa, a long-time close friend of Mugabe, said it was hard to believe that Mugabe is no more.

“This is a loss not only to his family but whole country. I have known Joe since we were young boys and we have always been together. It is hard to believe that he is no more.

“We started knowing each other when I was playing for the Dynamos Under-14s while he was with the CAPS United Under-14s. Joe and George Nechironga were the standout performers in that team.  We used to see each other almost every week. Looking at his small stature, I would compare myself to him as I was equally small.

“I was the first one to graduate to the senior team in our age-group and I think that motivated them all. When he finally graduated to the senior team, we carried on with our relationship.

“I was happy when I became Dynamos captain and he also captained CAPS United. When we met at the centre circle for toss, we would talk about our families.

“I remember a game in which former referee Felix Tangawarima was surprised to see us talking to each other in a friendly way. He had to remind us that it was time for toss. He just said: ‘You guys are this close?’ and we told him that our relationship goes a long way.

“When he went to Sporting Lions, he wanted me in the technical team but unfortunately some people were not happy with the arrangement. 

“I then left Zimbabwe and came here (England). A month later a friend of mine, Tino Mabukwa, told me that Joe was in Reading. I called him and the following week I visited him in Reading.

“Joe was so happy to see me. We carried on with our friendship and formed a team called Floral Madrid which was very popular those days.

“Players like Chamu Musanhu, Murape Murape and Ernest Chirambadare later joined the team. Not more than two weeks would pass without getting to see each other. 

“I last saw him a few weeks ago. 

The last time he came here that’s when he told me that he was not feeling well. I also called him and we discussed the David Mandigora tribute match which we were planning with Thomas Mapfumo. We also communicated after the death of Steve Kwashi. This is a sad day for Zimbabwean football and my condolences to his family,” said Mucherahowa, fighting back tears.

Mugabe’s former CAPS United teammate Nyamukuta, who is also based in the UK, said he was still to come to terms with the former’s untimely death.

“I can’t find words since I am still trying to come to terms with these sad and shocking news. All I can say is I am still in shock. I started knowing Joe Mugabe when he was still playing for CAPS United juniors and up until his promotion into the senior team.

“As his follower, I used to dream playing like him and with him. My dream came true when I joined CAPS United in 1995. He was the reason why I joined. He was my captain together with Silver Chigwenje.

“What an inspiration, a leader, a unifier and a brother. It was a great privilege and honour to play in the same team with such a man. His leadership qualities were also noticed here in the UK when he brought us together to form the CAPS United UK Legends group. Again, his leadership qualities were second to none,” said Nyamukuta.

Former Premier Soccer League secretary-general, Chris Sibanda, who is also based in the UK, added: “I am shocked by Joe’s death and I can’t believe it. I knew Joe when he was at CAPS United he would speak to everyone. I am so sorry to his family.” 

Journalist, Stanley Kwenda, who watched Mugabe at the peak of his prowess, said Zimbabwe has lost a leader.

“I grew up supporting Dynamos and naturally ‘hated’ Joe for the way he always destroyed us. He had a small stature but full of confidence. One thing that came tops was his leadership qualities as he was always talking to his players. When I came to the United Kingdom, I met a different Joe as he was a very quiet character. He was a good man, a family man as he always came to functions with his family. I can only say Rest in Peace Joe,” said Kwenda.

Former Zimbabwe international Liberty Masunda said Mugabe’s death reminded him that life could not be understood.

“I am in shock. I am just switching on my phone right now and seeing the message. What happened? My wife will be shocked as she is sleeping right now. He was a very intelligent man who always consulted if he had a fund-raising idea. Joe was too young to die. Mwari vaita kuda kwavo,” he said.

Former Dynamos defender Chamu Musanhu said Mugabe’s death was saddening. 

“Joe was good to many. It was always nice playing against CAPS United. We knew that his battles with Memory will be top-notch. Joe aitinetsa and (coach) Sunday Chidzambwa aitiudza kuti please mark Joe and raive basa raMemory. May His Soul Rest in Peace,” said Musanhu.  

Team Zimbabwe UK chief executive officer Marshal Gore described Mugabe as a humble man who was still very young.

“It’s painful that we have lost Joe today. He was a symbol of unity, a role model and mentor to most of our young Diaspora players. He was a humble, kind man. 

“Above all, he was a pillar and a critical player in all our Diaspora football development behind the scenes. Legend Joe supported all our programmes wholeheartedly. He was part of us, together with all the CAPS United Legends, whom he led with distinction,” he said.

Mugabe’s ex-teammate Chirozvani echoed Gore’s sentiments.

“I saw Joe three weeks ago and spent the whole day with him at his home in Reading. He told me that he was improving. I thought he was getting better because they were waiting for some tests. I communicated with (his son) Ashley who told me that they had taken him to hospital and was hoping that he would recover,” he said.

Former Soccer Star of the Year, Maxwell “MaRhino” Dube, also expressed shock that the death of Mugabe.

“I cannot believe that mukoma Joe is gone. I remember when I was voted the Soccer Star in 2002, he was among the finalists. It was always good to play against him. This is not only a loss to CAPS United but Zimbabwe. My condolences to the Mugabe family,” he said.