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Gilbert Munetsi Special  Correspondent
WHAT has unarguably become the people’s favourite weekend sports read, Sharuko on Saturday, was conspicuous by its absence in the The Saturday Herald issue of July 16.

Its writer, whose reportage of matters specifically pertaining to the sporting code of football dwarfs many-a-scribe, should naturally have kept his legion of followers wondering what could have deprived them of their usual football literary diet.

It is fact that many have taken to this weekly football analysis dosage like a cult.

Through the column, “The Godfather” or “Chakariboy”, as Robson Sharuko is affectionately known in football circles, has religiously kept his wide base of readers informed through his writings that talk soccer at local level, crossing regional and international boundaries to foreign top-flight leagues like ABSA, the EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, among others.

Occasionally, so liberal can his pen be that in some instances, he waltzes into other disciplines like boxing (he recently penned an ode to Muhammad Ali), tennis, cricket or even music (remember that tribute to the late Prince on the demise of the pop icon?).

The reason why the popular page was missing last Saturday is that “The Godfather” is in mourning.

Late last week, the stealthy shadow of death extended its avaricious grip on the Sharuko household, and from it seized his only daughter, Mimi.

The prominent sports scribe’s family is in grief.

Friends and acquaintances have flocked to his residence to extend their heartfelt sympathies.

Robson’s Facebook timeline is awash with messages of condolence, some from as far afield as the United Kingdom, Australia, United States and Canada.

“Rob, our deepest sympathies go to you and your family. May God give you the comfort and peace that you seek, and may the soul of your daughter rest in eternal peace,” reads one from Marshall Gore in London, in a condolence message on behalf of Team Zimbabwe-UK who recently won the AFCON-UK Under-17 Cup.

One just has to go to Robson’s WhatsApp status to establish the bond that existed between father and daughter.

And the measure of devastation it has caused to Robson and his wife Florence, the couple now celebrating 22 years together.

“The father of ‘em fathers — this was your last status my sweetest girl and, just like that, I’m alone,” reads Robson’s WhatsApp status.

It is so short and bursting with emotion.

One thing is evident though.

While readers flip through the pages to quench their thirst for education, information and entertainment, the writer, too, must surely have a reservoir from which he taps for the much desired inspiration.

Just that single sentence tells one how affectionately father and daughter related — her so proud and boastful of a caring and protective dad; and him reciprocating the love with the patriarchal responsibility of bringing her up.

But, alas, fate had other plans.

There appears to have been another side to Mimi, which many may not know.

She did not wish to be identified as a daughter of Robson Sharuko, but even at that tender age, executed deeds that made her popular among her peers.

The teenager was a benevolent personality.

“Can you imagine she bought preparation for my son, Larma, though she never had the chance to come and see him,” shares friend Panashe on a whatsApp group that has a following of more than 100 young men and women.

Though not a celebrity in her own right, Mimi had the power, even in death, to make some personalities bury their boardroom differences to unite in sorrow with a compatriot.

Who could have imagined Philip Chiyangwa coming face to face with Henrietta Rushwaya, especially after the life ban imposed on the latter from all matters to do with football?

But The Iron Lady was there on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

And the funeral wake was not without its lighter moments.

Burly sungura musician, First Farai, who leaves a stone’s throw away from the Sharukos, sought to know why he had been reported by H-Metro as having “converted” to his own use the chema raised at the funeral of Cephas Mashakada.

The pastor (name not established) was there to remind the gathering that “whether one has a mansion, they will one day leave it and ascend with no earthly possession.”

Among the gathering, the only person likely to have a such a property could be none other than Dr Phil.

Fact: It is not very often that one is accorded an obituary at such a tender age as Mimi, unless he/she is fortunate to have already attained celebrity status.

But when a parent has built the family name, former schoolmates speak good about their deceased colleague, the community passes good comments and the funeral is graced by the who-is-who in all sectors of society: including the president of the national football association, the national team coach, a top-flight PSL club owner, soccer legends, commentators, musicians, journalists, clergymen — what it points at is that the honour has, indeed, been earned.

Charles Mabika was there to be with his GamePlan colleague in his moment of grief.

On television, the duo has set standards for football punditry in this country on ZTV and it was touching to see them shed tears on Saturday.

Their show, GamePlan, which has been off the radar for weeks, returns on Monday.

Eddie “Mboma” Nyatanga was there and, as usual, he was the one who dominated everything until his little daughter Thandeka, who regarded Mimi as a sister, took over with a moving poem she wrote for the departed.

Robson’s childhood pals from Chakari, Solomon Banda and Samuel Mwale, a teacher and banker respectively, were also there to provide that grassroots link to all this.

Scores of people from Herald House, a place Mimi first visited as a three-year-old before regular visits followed, recalled a girl, then a student and a young woman who had become part of their life and who was full of life.

She was part of them and they were part of her, a family whose bond would not be shattered by the cruel hand of fate.

Playwright William Shakespeare in “Macbeth” could have summed it up when explained how greatness, irrespective of one’s age, is attained.

Only a few weeks ago, Robson wrote about Vin Diesel’s touching tribute to his late Hollywood mate Paul Walker of the Fast and Furious franchise.

He touched on those words, “Even though you might be a quarter mile or half the world away, you will always be my best friend.”

Looking at the events of the past few weeks, he could have been writing those words for his Mimi, the pretty girl who will always walk with him.

Chelsea lost a fan, Dynamos lost a supporter and the Sharukos lost their angel.

Mimi was laid to rest at Glen Forest Memorial Park last Sunday afternoon.

May her departed soul rest in peace.