The Sunday News
FORMER Highlanders defender Nehemiah Dube, who died on Wednesday, was laid to rest in Hwange yesterday.
Dube died at the age of 67 in the coal mining town where he was based. He had retired from his post as a High Court of Zimbabwe assessor based in Hwange having also called it a day from his first job as a school teacher for which he trained for at the United College of Education while turning out for Highlanders. When he retired from teaching he had risen to the post of headmaster.
During his playing days at Highlanders Dube could slot in on the left and right side of defence. He turned out for Bosso between 1973 and 1974. Some of the well known yesteryear Bosso players he was in the same team with include Tymon Mabaleka, Lawrence Phiri, Edward Dzowa, Josiah Nxumalo and Boet Van Ays. Dube was part of the Highlanders team which won the 1973 Chibuku Trophy, the 3-0 victory over Mangula in the final.
Originally from Kezi in Matabeleland South, Nehemiah was father to former Chronicle sports editor Lovemore Dube and elder brother to Highlanders executive chairman Peter Dube.
Meanwhile, Zifa have sent a condolence message to the Dube family over Nehemiah’s death.
“The Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) has learnt with great shock and sorrow of the passing away of Nehemiah Dube, a great Highlanders player during his time,” Zifa president Phillip Chiyangwa said in a statement posted on the association’s website.
“He served Highlanders with distinction and the nation has been robbed of a true football servant. Zifa and the entire football family joins the Dube family during this difficult time. May his soul rest in eternal peace. May the family also find comfort in the Lord Almighty”, said Chiyangwa.
Zifa has also sent a condolence message to the Rundofa family following the death of former Northern region administrator, Obert Rundofa.
“As the custodians of football, we have been left poorer by the passing away of former Northern region administrator, Obert Rundofa,” said Chiyangwa.
“Rundofa spearheaded various football interventions and toiled to ensure that football blossomed in the Zifa Northern region. Zifa is in mourning with his family, friends and the local football family as everyone grapples with the painful loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Rundofa family in this time of grief and we encourage them to seek comfort and solace in the Almighty.”
