…Colleagues mourn veteran football administrator
Emmanuel Chitsika/Fredrick Moyo
“When I have done the work you gave me Lord, give me that crown”-such goes the biblical quote, which veteran soccer administrator Tedious Machawira seems to be reciting in the spiritual realm to the “football gods” after his untimely demise earlier this week.
Once again Zimbabwean football has been robbed of one of their most revered and valued giants in the beautiful game, veteran soccer administrator Tedious Machawira, who in all honesty deserved all his flowers.
The football family is mourning a man who served the game with distinction while at the same time making sure the Eastern Region Soccer League (ERSL)’s needs were well catered for.
Born 59 years ago in Gutu district of Masvingo, the late Machawira who served in the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) before his retirement from the force in 1997 was a dedicated football administrator who fought tooth and nail towards the cause of the game.
Tichaona Machawira, son to the late football icon said the icon was their fortress, hence the family had been robbed of a father figure par excellence.
“As a family, we have lost a father figure who was a father and grandfather to many. In our clan he was the only surviving elder whom we would always consult for advice. His passing on is a great loss to the family as we no longer have a father to look up to.
“My father retired from ZRP in 1997 and he got employed at Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) offices in Harare before transferring to Masvingo where he was the founding father of the ERSL around 2000-01,” said Tichaona.
Masvingo Mayor Collen Maboke said the region has lost a fountain of football knowledge and experience which shall be difficult to replace when considering his vast experience.
“There is need for ERSL to find an administrator with experience that matches the late Machawira. I am not sure if the region will get a proper replacement of his calibre because even after his retirement from football, he would always avail himself and provide advice to several clubs. He is one who was always committed to the cause of the game.
“Despite the challenges that most Masvingo clubs faced in securing sponsorship packages, he remained committed to working with us. He would stand in for several clubs I worked at like Masvingo United, FC Roma, Don Bosco and Mucheke Pirates. While working with him, I learnt a lot about football administration,” said Maboke.
Masvingo Zifa chairperson Nobioth Magwizi said the late administrator left a trail of achievements in the region during his tenure of office.
“Despite being a pioneer in formation of the ERSL as the administrator, the late Machawira was instrumental in bringing the Sylvia Dube cup to the eastern region while he was also part of the negotiating team for the Mbada Diamonds Cup.
“In other words, he was behind the success of the ERSL is as a result of his commitment. He also spearheaded the transfers of soccer stars Ovidy Karuru, Johnson Zimbabe, Progress and Jolly Musepa from ordinary secondary schools to football powerhouses like Pamushana and Gokomere High Schools.
“It was out of his idea that the then young players began to play for Masvingo United in Premier Soccer League,” said Magwizi.
Division 1 side Masvingo United spokesperson Omen Mafa released a club statement that expressed how sad the club felt on the passing on of Machawira whose leadership qualities he said were indisputable.
“Our club will forever cherish the moments we interacted with him as he was an accommodating character who always had the region (Eastern) at heart and wanted to see local teams excel on the domestic football arena. We can attest his leadership qualities which can never be doubted and were crystal clear for everyone to see; hence he was a celebrated administrator par excellence.
“Indeed the region would be poorer without him and his void will be felt as he was now more of an advisor to the regional leadership helping them steer the ship in the right direction.
“To the Machawira family, we say ‘Know that we are thinking of you, remembering our father and celebrate his life. Mr Machawira will always be in our hearts and memories,” read the statement.
Acting Zifa General Secretary Xolisani Gwesela issued a statement in which he said the late administrator had an immense contribution to the beautiful game from ‘an unrivalled passion’.
“Known by many as the Father figure, the association recognizes his immense contribution to the development of the game in his region and the country as a whole. He will forever be remembered for his unrivalled passion and dedication for the development football.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the departed one in this time of sorrow. He served the association with great honour for a period spanning over two decades. He started his journey in 1998, when he majored into full time football administration after retiring from ZRP.
“Zifa expresses it sincere condolences to the family and country’s football fraternity at large following the death of former ESRL general manager. Machawira was one of the longest serving football administrators,” read the statement.
Survived by five children, three girls and two boys and his wife, the late Machawira was buried at his rural home in Zimbizi village of Bhasera area in Gutu East constituency on October 14, 2022.
