Sports / Local
Bosso legend Majuta Mpofu dies
11 Sep 2013 at 05:35hrs | Views
FORMER Bulawayo Wanderers and Highlanders Football Club's dribbling wizard Majuta Mpofu has died.
He was 63.
His young brother Morris Mpofu confirmed last night that the former soccer star died at his Entumbane home yesterday.
"He had been unwell for some time. He finally passed on this afternoon around 5pm at home," said Morris last night.
The football legend whose dribbling wizardry bewildered many defenders in the 1970s and 1980s, was born at Old Memorial Hospital in Bulawayo.
He grew up at Njube's 'O' Square and attended Nsukamini Primary School between Njube and Mabutweni.
His football star shone at an early age at both Njube and Mabutweni suburbs where he played street soccer and at club like most boys of his generation.
According to Morris, Majuta worked at Heany Junction as a gardener before his talent was recognised at the formation of Bulawayo Wanderers. The move to the club, one of the most exciting soccer projects to emerge from Bulawayo, earned him a job with the Bulawayo Fire Brigade.
By the mid 1970s, Majuta's profile had risen so much that he joined a star-studded and chart topping Highlanders which had Barry Daka, Billy Sibanda, Stanley Nyika, Isaac Mafaro, Lawrence Phiri, Jeffrey Mpofu, Ananias Dube, Josiah Nxumalo and Itai Chieza.
It was his dribbling skills and defence splitting passes that earned him the admiration of thousands of fans. He came close to a trial in Brazil in the 1970s but an injury saw Brazilian great Jairzinho who had a brief spell with South African glamour boys, Kaizer Chiefs go empty handed to South America.
The Latin American had been impressed by the striker's performance. Majuta was to defend himself in an interview a decade ago citing injury as the cause. On his failure to move to South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs he said he made many considerations before deciding that keeping his Fire Brigade job was the best way for him and family.
Majuta moved back to Wanderers after Independence having won the Chibuku Trophy, 4-0 against Rio Tinto in 1980. He later coached the club and had a stint in the 1990s as Young Warriors mentor.
Majuta is credited with inspiring a younger generation of brilliant dribblers which included Boy Ndlovu and the late Francis Paketh.
Many will remember him for his passion for boxing and sparring sessions at Iminyela Hall as well. He once was involved in an exhibition fight with the late Proud "Kilimanjaro" Chinembiri who was the heavyweight champion of Africa and Zimbabwe.
Morris described his brother's death as a loss to the family. Zifa vice-president Ndumiso Gumede said Majuta was one of the best entertainers local football had seen.
"He was a very good player. It is sad to lose such a great footballer," said Gumede who was among the first football leaders to visit the Mpofu family.
Mourners are gathered at his Entumbane home, 32670 C Section. Majuta is survived by wife Otilia and five children. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
He was 63.
His young brother Morris Mpofu confirmed last night that the former soccer star died at his Entumbane home yesterday.
"He had been unwell for some time. He finally passed on this afternoon around 5pm at home," said Morris last night.
The football legend whose dribbling wizardry bewildered many defenders in the 1970s and 1980s, was born at Old Memorial Hospital in Bulawayo.
He grew up at Njube's 'O' Square and attended Nsukamini Primary School between Njube and Mabutweni.
His football star shone at an early age at both Njube and Mabutweni suburbs where he played street soccer and at club like most boys of his generation.
According to Morris, Majuta worked at Heany Junction as a gardener before his talent was recognised at the formation of Bulawayo Wanderers. The move to the club, one of the most exciting soccer projects to emerge from Bulawayo, earned him a job with the Bulawayo Fire Brigade.
By the mid 1970s, Majuta's profile had risen so much that he joined a star-studded and chart topping Highlanders which had Barry Daka, Billy Sibanda, Stanley Nyika, Isaac Mafaro, Lawrence Phiri, Jeffrey Mpofu, Ananias Dube, Josiah Nxumalo and Itai Chieza.
It was his dribbling skills and defence splitting passes that earned him the admiration of thousands of fans. He came close to a trial in Brazil in the 1970s but an injury saw Brazilian great Jairzinho who had a brief spell with South African glamour boys, Kaizer Chiefs go empty handed to South America.
The Latin American had been impressed by the striker's performance. Majuta was to defend himself in an interview a decade ago citing injury as the cause. On his failure to move to South Africa's Kaizer Chiefs he said he made many considerations before deciding that keeping his Fire Brigade job was the best way for him and family.
Majuta moved back to Wanderers after Independence having won the Chibuku Trophy, 4-0 against Rio Tinto in 1980. He later coached the club and had a stint in the 1990s as Young Warriors mentor.
Majuta is credited with inspiring a younger generation of brilliant dribblers which included Boy Ndlovu and the late Francis Paketh.
Many will remember him for his passion for boxing and sparring sessions at Iminyela Hall as well. He once was involved in an exhibition fight with the late Proud "Kilimanjaro" Chinembiri who was the heavyweight champion of Africa and Zimbabwe.
Morris described his brother's death as a loss to the family. Zifa vice-president Ndumiso Gumede said Majuta was one of the best entertainers local football had seen.
"He was a very good player. It is sad to lose such a great footballer," said Gumede who was among the first football leaders to visit the Mpofu family.
Mourners are gathered at his Entumbane home, 32670 C Section. Majuta is survived by wife Otilia and five children. Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Source - chronicle
