Mashonaland Mourns the veteran coach MAshanda
The football community in Mashonaland West province is mourning the loss of veteran and shrewd coach Austin Mashanda, who breathed his last at Banket Hospital recently.
Mashanda, affectionately known as Amhondoro, was the head coach at Northern Region Division Soccer League side, Pan African Mine (PAM) FC at the time of his death.
He was 47 years old. Thousands of mourners gathered to pay their respects to the renowned coach, who was laid to rest in a ceremony that drew football administrators from the Northern Region.
They converged at Kuwadzana Stadium in Banket to bid farewell to a man who had made an immense contribution to football development in the province. Mashanda’s legacy extends to Banket and Muriel Mine in Zvimba district, where he dedicated his life to nurturing young talent and promoting the beautiful game.
The football community came together to pay tribute to the late Mashanda, a man who dedicated his life to nurture talent.
Stanley Nyachowe, a board member of the Northern Region Division One Soccer League and former Banket United player, lamented the loss of a man who was instrumental in shaping the football landscape in Banket.
“It’s a sad day for Zimbabwe to lose a man who had all the knowledge about Banket football. He was a product of the community, played for Banket United, and coached the team from Division 2 to Division 1. His legacy will be felt for years to come,” Nyachowe said.
Tapiwa Chitate, chairperson of Chinhoyi Stars FC, described Mashanda as a mentor and coach who will be hard to replace. “The soccer fraternity has lost a giant, a man who was everything to many players in Mashonaland West province,” he said.
White Makina, former coach of Zatex, remembered Mashanda as a big-hearted man who had a passion for developing young players. “He had so much love to give to other coaches, and his contribution to football in this province .Veteran coach ‘Amhondoro’ l will never be forgotten, and his legacy will live long because of his fruits ” Makina said.
Mashanda’s impact on football in Banket cannot be overstated. Born and raised in the town, he dedicated his life to growing the sport he loved.
As a player and later coach of Banket United, he spent over a decade shaping the team into a force to be reckoned with.
His expertise and guidance helped nurture talented players like Vincent Nzombe, Simbarashe Gorogonjo, Chriswell Mandovha, and Jonathan Kahonde, among others.
Mashanda’s influence extended beyond his own team, as he also worked alongside David Maketo Sengu as an assistant coach. In a fitting tribute, soccer legends like Stanley Nyachowe and Pierson Matare took to the field for a farewell match in honour of Mashanda.
The match was coached by White Makina, who affectionately imitated Mashanda’s signature style, shouting instructions to the referee and players, much to the delight of the fans in attendance. Mashanda is survived by a wife and three children.
His death takes a toll to the whole football fraternity nationwide he contributed immensely in the lower division as a scout and player developer.