Eddie Chikamhi, Senior Sports Reporter
EX-FOOTBALLER and founding member of Black Aces, Simon Mudzudzu, who died in the United States of America on Wednesday night, was a rare breed during his heyday.
Madzudzu had a history of a heart ailment and died on the operating table at a medical institution in America where he had been living with his family for the past few years. He was 72 years old.
The older generation will remember him well for his formidable twin centreback partnership with football icon Sunday Chidzambwa at Metal Box in the 1970s, a club with which they won the national league play-off in 1973.
His son, David, who is based in the United Kingdom, confirmed the tragedy and told the Zimpapers Sport that funeral arrangements were still being worked out by the family.
“This is a difficult moment for the family and friends. So far, we haven’t finalised the funeral details since we are still consulting with the uncles and other relatives back home. But he had always said his wish was to be buried closer to his grandchildren,” he said.
David also chronicled his father’s successful football career, which had blossomed from a juniors development programme at Tornadoes, to his role in the formation of Black Aces.
“He played for Tornadoes juniors, Metal Box, Chibuku Shumba and Black Aces. Actually, he was among the founding members of Black Aces when Chibuku Shumba folded.
“But after the injury that led to the end of his career (in 1981) he never really took an interest in football, not even in coaching.
“But I remember at some point he was appointed to the SRC but I don’t think he was keen on it and he eventually left. He continued to work for Carnaud Metal Box, his first and longest employer in his life,” said David.
Mudzudzu has been living with a heart condition for the past few years after undergoing a heart surgery during the Covid-19 period.
Actually, he had a triple heart bypass and seemed to have recovered, only for complications to recur recently leading to another appointment with the surgeon. Unfortunately, he could not make it from the operating table this time.
But when success stories of local footballers post-playing days are told, Mudzudzu could be counted among those that managed to transform smoothly from a modest football career to a comfortable life.
Long after he had hung up his boots, Mudzudzu lived a good life in Harare’s affluent suburb of Glen Lorne, where he had bought himself and his family a nice home from the sweat of his labour.
Although he might not be a familiar name with the present generation of football fans, Mudzudzu made his name in the 1970s and the early 1980s.
He featured in the title-grabbing Metal Box team of 1973 under Allen Davie, alongside July “Jujuju” Sharara, Oliver Kateya, Austin Nehumba, Peter Manyara, Shadreck Kateya, Chita Antonio and Chidzambwa.
Former Warriors captain and coach Chidzambwa was at a loss of words yesterday after learning of the tragedy.
“It’s so sad to hear about this. Allow me to pass my heartfelt condolences to the Mudzudzu family. The last time I talked to him he informed me he had a heart operation and it’s so sad it had to come to this.
“But this is a guy I have known for a long time. We played together at Metal Box from the time the club was in Division One in 1972.
“We had won the North Zone and went on to beat Highlanders 4-1 in Bulawayo in the first leg of the play-offs. We then lost 2-1 in Harare but we managed to get the national title.
“We were the two centrebacks when we won the title. He was such a brilliant and dependable defender, good in their air and a hard tackler as well,” said Chidzambwa.
Revered yesteryear footballers such as Peter Manyara, Arnold Madzikatire, Chita Antonio, Oliver Kateya, July Sharara and goalkeeper Mike Chidzero were part of the Metal Box side.
Mudzudzu and Chidzambwa moved to Chibuku Shumba in 1975. The defender broke the transfer record then when he was bought for $3 000 (Rhodesian dollars). He played alongside the likes of Fresh Chamarenga and William Billy Sherman at Chibuku Shumba.
When Chibuku folded in 1976, the players decided to acquire the franchise of Metal Box in 1977 and formed Black Aces.
Aces announced themselves with a huge shout when they won the Chibuku Trophy and the Nyore Nyore Shield and finished third in their debut season in 1977.
Mudzudzu played for Black Aces until 1981 when he suffered a knee injury that signaled the end of his career.
At Aces, Mudzudzu also played with a number of gifted players such as Bernard ‘Machipisa’ Dzingayi, Daniel Chikanda, Clever Hunda, Wonder Chisetera, Charles Gwazo, Bernard Kuwana, Byron “Piri Piri” Manuel, Booker Muchenu and Alwyn Hagen.
Popularly known as ‘Shaisa Mufaro’, Black Aces used Gwanzura as their home ground and had a legion of supporters from Highfield and the surrounding areas of Glen Norah, Mbare and Mufakose.
Meanwhile, Mudzudzu continued to work at Carnaud Metal Box until 2014. He is survived by his wife Tsitsi and five children.
