The late former Zimbabwe Football Association technical director Nelson Matongorere, will be laid to rest at Zororo Cemetery Park tomorrow.
A family spokesperson revealed that the football family and Zimbabweans at large will bid farewell to the respected former Caps United coach at 2pm.
The 68-year-old passed on at 10pm on Wednesday after failing to recover from a stroke he suffered last month just before the encounter between CAPS United and Highlanders.
All sorts of tributes have poured in from all the four corners of the country for the man who was instrumental in giving the likes of Kalisto Pasuwa, Norman Mapeza, Taurai Mangwiro, Sammy Mavhenyengwa, and Lloyd Chitembwe the coaching foundation that has made them household names in Zimbabwean football.
Former Dynamos chairman Simon Chikomo Makaza had high praises for the man who coached all Zimbabwe junior teams from the Under 17 to the Under 23 having served his apprenticeship in 1981 under the guidance of Ghana's Ben Koufie.
"He was a passionate, honest and principled man who devoted most of time to football. The game will never be the same without this man," said Makaza.
Former Zimbabwe Under 17 coach Lloyd Chigowe who grew up with Matongorere in Mbare says Matongorere was a true hero of Zimbabwean football.
"He was a humble man who worked hard to be were he was. He was the father of football because there are few coaches in Zimbabwe who did not pass through his hands. These are people whom we call heroes in our football," summed up Chigowe.
- Derby prettily poised... as Caps seek redemption
- DeMbare wriggle into second position
- Caps coach Matongorere dies
- Football family mourns Matongorere
Keep Reading
At the time of his death Matongorere was CAPS United assistant coach and worked alongside coach Lloyd Chitembwe, Tonderai Marume and team manager Shakespear Chinogwenya.
"We have lost what I can say was the brains behind CAPS United. He was well equipped and loaded with knowledge. We have lost our father, the generator of CAPS United," said Chinogwenya.
As a Caf Coaches Instructor, Matongorero — who was also trained in Germany — took his knowledge to other African countries but the honour remains for Zimbabwean football to give him a befitting send off.
