SCORES of people thronged Zororo Memorial Park in Harare yesterday to lay former Mighty Warriors team manager and ex-Harare City chief executive officer Tafadzwa Bhasera to rest.
She died on Sunday in Harare at the age of 36, after a short illness, leaving behind two children Josh and Tineyi.
Officials from the City of Harare, including mayor Jacob Mafume, representatives from the Zifa normalisation committee, Premier League clubs (both men and women leagues) lower leagues, the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) and football supporters, all joined hands to bid their farewell.
SRC director of sports Eugenia Chidhakwa described Bhasera as a warrior who fought for the upliftment of women football and the rights of female footballers.
“She had two things that were so dear to her heart, something that she would always talk about when you interact with her. She loved her church and her children. Those were the most dearest things to her,” Chidhakwa said.
“But also she fought very hard to promote the girl child in sport. When she became the Mighty Warriors team manager, we never had any problems in camp because she would treat the players as her own sisters and children. She always demanded the best for the players.
“So as the SRC, we say we have lost someone who loved sport. She was a warrior in prayer, a warrior in football and also a warrior in her social life. She was a unifier.
“We have a WhatsApp group as women in sports and every time there is a disagreement, she would come to my inbox and say, ‘mother, I don’t like what’s happening’. Fighting and quarrels were not her cup of tea. Rest easy Tafadzwa and I wish officials and players at Harare City here could emulate Tafadzwa’s ways.” Mafume said Bhasera fought hard to improve the welfare of Harare City players when she was the boss.
- Moreblessing Ali buried amid CCC violence
- Funeral chaos: Moreblessing Ali family engages Zimbabwe Republic Police
- ‘A unifier, hard worker and warrior’, Bhasera mourned
Keep Reading
He revealed that she played a significant role in the transfer of Warriors star Tino Kadewere from Harare City to Europe, where he went on to play for big clubs, including Lyon of France.
Zifa normalisation committee member and former Mighty Warriors coach Rosemary Mugadza, who worked with Bhasera at Harare City, also gave a moving eulogy.
“Tafadzwa was one person who was kind, loving and very humble. All I can ask from God is to protect Josh and Tine. Tafadzwa was one person who could give Tine the love she wanted,” said Mugadza, who also coached Harare City Queens, working with Bhasera.
“Tafadzwa. She was my sister and I want to thank her for giving me the guide which I needed at one point when we were at Harare City.
“There was a time that things were tough at City, but she would always encourage me and always assure me that every situation shall pass. And for sure, we overcame. I’m heartbroken because I never imagine that we could lay Tafadzwa today.”
Some of Bhasera’s major achievements during her time at Harare City was to lead the team to Chibuku Super Cup glory in 2017, while the Mighty Warriors also won various accolades during her time with the team.
