The Sunday Mail
Don Makanyanga
Sports Reporter
JUST days after laying to rest Misheck Chidzambwa, grief visited the Dynamos family again, following the death of another club legend, Simon Sachiti, in Harare yesterday.
He was 75.
Sachiti’s death came just five days after the DeMbare family buried former captain Misheck “Scania’’ Chidzambwa in Chivhu and barely a month after another club great David “Yogi’’ Mandigora also passed away.
His son Felix said Sachiti died on Saturday morning after being admitted to St Anne’s Hospital on Thursday night.
Mourners are gathered at Number 523, Tashingirira Street, New Marimba.
“It’s true that our father, Simon, has passed on. He died after a short illness this morning.
“He was admitted at St Anne’s Hospital on Thursday before passing on today (yesterday) at around 8am,” said Felix.
He described his father as someone who was passionate about the game.
“It is a big loss to our family. My late father was a unifier and he was someone to who members of the family ran to when they had a problem.
“He will be greatly missed by the family.
“He was also someone who was passionate about football and his heart was always with Dynamos. His death is not only a loss to our family, but it is a loss to those in football.”
Dynamos, a club he served with distinction both as a player and secretary-general, described him as a rare gem.
“Another legend is gone!
“Dynamos Football Club joins the family of one of the club’s greatest sons, the late Simon Sachiti, and the nation at large in mourning his untimely passing today (yesterday).
“This great loss comes barely a month after Misheck ‘Scania’ and David ‘Yogi’ Mandigora were taken from our midst. We continue losing the illustrious sons of Zimbabwean football.
“The late Sachiti was a rare gem in the star-studded generation of the ’70s, a generation that turned Dynamos into an indomitable football juggernaut.
“He was a pleasant character who gave his all to the Glamour Boys both as a player and administrator,” said Dynamos chief executive officer Jonathan Mashingaidze.
He said DeMbare would honour their former greats in a Hall of Fame which the club is set to unveil.
“What hurts the most is the fact that the club’s luminaries are being taken away from our midst at a time when the club is preparing to put up glitzy and memorable 60th anniversary celebrations in 2023.
“The club shall, however, see to it that the Roll of Honour for all who made Dynamos Football Club the flagship of Zimbabwean football since 1963 shall decorate our Hall of Fame,” added Mashingaidze.
Veteran sports journalist Charles Mabika described Sachiti as a true legend of the
game.
“A true legend of the game. (He) was a gentleman on and off the pitch and was an energetic and committed left-back during his illustrious career.
“After he hung up his boots, he continued with his modest character and undying love and passion for his beloved Dynamos. He worked himself to a standstill to achieve unity at a club where he served as vice-chairman, secretary-general and treasurer.
The game has lost a colourful and dedicated servant. May his soul rest in peace,” said Mabika.
Former Zimbabwe and CAPS goalkeeper Brenna Msiska said Sachiti’s demise was another sad day for the country’s flagship sport.
“Another sad day in Zimbabwean football. It is only last week when we were mourning the death of Misheck Chidzambwa and today (yesterday) we wake up to another shocking news of the death of Sachiti. Legends are departing; it’s sad for our football,” he said.
Sachiti featured in a Dynamos outfit that also included the likes of Willard Sarupinda, George Shaya, Ernest Kamba, Reeds Johannes, David Phiri, Ben Zinyama, Isaac Nhema, George Yoyo and Stephen “Faka Simbi” Chimedza.
Seasoned administrator, former player and coach Francis Zimunya said the former DeMbare left-back was a man who was committed to football.
“It is very difficult to bear the sudden death of Sachiti. He is one of the Dynamos stalwarts and legends.
“I remember how, together with the likes of Willard Sarupinda, David Isaac Nhema, Steven Chimedza, they formed a solid defence for both Dynamos and Zimbabwe national team in the 1970s.
“They built Dynamos to be what it is today.”
After hanging up his boots, Sachiti was to venture into football administration, where he held various positions at Dynamos.
“His dedication to football followed him even after he hung up his boots as he went into administration. He was a link between the Dynamos golden generation and new generation.
“And not only did he only offer his expertise to Dynamos, but he was open to all. His death is a big loss to the Dynamos fraternity and the nation at large,” said Zimunya.
