THOUSANDS of Zimbabweans, including Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, are expected to throng Bulawayo today to pay their final respects to soccer legend Adam “Adamski” Ndlovu who died in a car accident last Sunday in Victoria Falls.
Report by Fortune Mbele Sports Reporter
Yesterday, thousands attended a service that was held at Luveve Stadium, Chicken Inn’s home ground.
Among them were former Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari, Peter’s ex-wife Sharon Dee, MP Tabitha Khumalo, as well as several former Highlanders players, some of whom played with Adam.
Adam’s body was taken to MAP (Madinda, Adam&Peter) offices and then to Chicken Inn headquarters before conveyance to Luveve. Fans from most residential suburbs in Bulawayo came to bid the Bosso and Warriors legend farewell.
Many more lined up along Luveve Road to salute the procession as it made its way to the stadium.
The former Warriors, Highlanders striker and Chicken Inn head coach will be laid to rest at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo.
Adam died after the BMW X5 vehicle driven by his brother Peter burst a tyre 20km from the Victoria Falls Airport, veered off the road and rammed into a tree.
A female passenger Nomqhele Tshili was killed on the spot
According to the police, Adam died on his way to hospital while Peter was seriously injured and taken to Victoria Falls Hospital before being transferred to Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo. He was operated on both legs.
Peter is expected to attend his brother’s funeral. Zanu PF national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo, Sports minister David Coltart and Mines and Mining Development minister Obert Mpofu are also expected to attend.
“The Office of the Prime Minister has confirmed that he is coming while the Zanu PF national party chairperson (Khaya Moyo) and minister Coltart have confirmed that they will be attending the burial. Mpofu (Mines and Mining Development), who is already here is not coming in his capacity as minister, but as the main speaker for the family,” Madinda said.
Senior government officials, politicians, senior Zifa officials, club officials, former teammates from the Dream Team era, current Warriors, Highlanders, Chicken Inn and players from various clubs, are expected to make part of mourners to bid farewell to Adamski today.
A church service will be held at 8am at the Amphitheatre where high-ranking officials will deliver speeches before the body, which lay in state at his home in Selborne Park, will make its way to his boyhood suburb of Makokoba.
It will pass through his parent’s house before it is taken to Barbourfields Stadium, the home of Highlanders, where Adamski cut his teeth. From Emagumeni, the body will be taken to its final resting place at Lady Stanley Cemetery, where only family members will deliver speeches.
Meanwhile, Coventry City boss Mark Robins has relayed his best wishes and condolences to the family of Peter Ndlovu following the car accident on Saturday.
Robins hoped Peter could rebuild his life after the horrific crash.
“It was terrible to hear about Peter, his brother and the other passenger and we, as a club, want to pass on our best wishes and condolences,” Robins said. “Hopefully, Peter will make a recovery that will enable him to rebuild his life because we all want that for him,” he added.