Northern Region Soccer League Mourns Mushunje
The Northern Region Soccer League is in deep mourning following the tragic death of Simba Bhora midfielder Barnabas Mushunje.
Mushunje passed away on Tuesday from injuries sustained in a road accident on his way from Harare to Simba Bhora base in Shamva.
Northern Region Soccer League chairman Martin Kweza said in a statement that the league has postponed the big clash between Simba Bhora and Golden Eagles which was scheduled for Saturday to allow Simba Bhora family to mourn the death of Mushunje.
" The Northern Region Soccer League executive committee has learnt with deep shock about the tragic passing on of Simba Bhora midfielder Barnabas Mushunje in a car accident along Harare-Shamva road on Tuesday late afternoon. Mushunje's death has not only robbed Simba Bhora of one of their star players, as his tragic passing on has left the league in particular and the Zimbabwean game in general poorer," said Kweza.
" On behalf of the NRSL leadership, the league, the entire NRSL fraternity, I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the Mushunje family on the tragic loss of a son, brother, father, uncle and nephew. May you draw comfort from the Almighty on this sad moment. Barnabas' untimely death has come on the eve of his team's high profile league match against Golden Eagles. Resultantly the NRSL has postponed the game to allow Simba Bhora family to mourn the death of their star and future Warrior. A dream shattered."
Simba Bhora secretary general Taurai Janhi said it's hard for him to accept the tragic death of Mushunje since he was very close to the player.
" Personally I'm very hurt, I can't even explain how I feel. These players are like my young brothers, I'm very close to all of them and they confide in me on their personal problems and Barnabas Mushunje was one of those who would come to me almost on daily basis," Janhi said.
" Personally I have lost a young brother more than having Simba Bhora having lost a player. We are closely knit family at Simba Bhora such that we have become more than a football team. Barnabas Mushunje is one of those players who had a telling impact since joining Simba Bhora from Dynamos and had become an integral part of the team. All I can say Go well my brother, Warwadzisa."
Janhi said as a club, Simba Bhora will stand with the Mushunje family during this tragic period.
" Simba Bhora Football Club is mourning with the Mushunje family in mourning the passing on of Barnabas Mushunje. He was a breadwinner not only to the Mushunje family but also to the Simba Bhora family. Their loss is our loss too. Our deepest condolences and thoughts are with his family and we will do our best in assisting the family under this difficult moment."
Mushunje who played for Ngezi Platinum Stars and Dynamos before moving to Simba Bhora early this year was involved in an accident on Tuesday along the Harare-Shamva road after the Honda Fit that he was travelling in collided with a tractor. He died on admission at Parirenyatwa Hospital. Mushunje had missed the club's team bus earlier in the day as he arrived in Harare late from Mutare where he had attended the burial of a relative. Burial arrangements will be advised in due course but according to a family member, Mushunje will be buried at his rural home in Bocha in Manicaland
