BINDURA mayor Carlos Tokyo yesterday said Chipadze Stadium could be renamed Biggie Zuze Stadium in honour of the town’s first football superstar.

Zuze, who hailed from Bindura, died last Thursday at the age of 55.

He was laid to rest in his hometown, at Chiwaridzo cemetery, yesterday.

Scores of locals, who spoke to The Herald, described Zuze as their football hero.

Tokyo told mourners during the body viewing ceremony at Chipadze Stadium that the council has made a special resolution to honour Zuze either by rechristening the stadium or naming a street after him.

“We have resolved with the councillors to name a place after Biggie,’’ said Tokyo.

“Even this ground could be named after him at the completion of renovations. “We can even name one of our streets after him when the time comes.’’

Former players such as Alfred Chinodakufa, Zondai Nyaungwa, Nkululeko Dhlamini, David Mandigora, Clayton Munemo, Tau Mangwiro, Nesbert Saruchera, Patridge Muskwe and Simon Chuma were part of the huge crowd which paid their last respects.

The coaching fraternity was also represented with the DeMbare technical team, led by Tonderai Ndiraya and Naison Muchekela, also bidding their colleague farewell.
Zuze was one of the assistant coaches at DeMbare at the time of his death.

The burial was also attended by officials from ZIFA, the full Dynamos executive and representatives from other clubs.

The huge turnout meant it was difficult to maintain the social distance protocol under the Covid-19 guidelines.

Mourners, most of them clad in DeMbare’s blue-and-white colours, waved the Glamour Boys flag. Officials and close family members gave moving eulogies as they narrated the life and work of the former DeMbare coach.

ZIFA Mashonaland Central chairman Gilbert Saika said Zuze’s achievements were worthy celebrating.

“To be recognised as a player, coming from a place like Mashonaland Central, you have to be very good,’’ he said.
“Biggie was that good and he did not end there.

It was Biggie’s wish that many other young players from the province also make it to the top. We are appealing to the authorities to continue to scout for more players from this region.’’-The Herald