Premier Soccer League founding father Victor Zvobgo dies

Sports Reporters

ONE of the Premier Soccer League’s founding fathers and ex-Chapungu United boss Victor Zvobgo has died.

Zvobgo passed away at a Harare hospital on Friday after battling against a kidney ailment for some time.

A family spokesperson said the retired Group Captain with the Air Force of Zimbabwe had been unwell since September last year.

After serving in the elite league, Zvobgo left for the United Kingdom, where he worked for years before returning home in 2005.

“He has been unwell since September last year and it got worse in recent days,” said a family representative.

“Zvobgo passed away at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare and as a family we are in grief.

“Many who know the history of football in this country will remember that Zvobgo played a critical role in the formation of the Premier Soccer League in 1992, together with the likes of (Morrison) Sifelani and (Chris) Sibanda.”

Zvobgo was the inaugural vice chairperson, with the late Sifelani being the chairperson, in an executive committee that also had a firebrand Chris Sibanda as secretary-general and Mathew Ngara as treasurer.

This was when the country’s top teams, who were playing in the then-Super League, decided to break away from the direct administration of ZIFA towards the end of 1992.

Highlanders went on to win the maiden National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) championship in 1993.

CAPS United, Chapungu, Eiffel Flats, Dynamos, Black Rhinos, Zimbabwe Saints, Darryn T, Mhangura, Wankie (now Hwange), Fire Batteries, Black Aces, Black Mambas, Tanganda, Shu Shine and Ziscosteel were the teams that formed the first Premiership.

By yesterday, burial arrangements were still to be finalised, as the Zvobgo family was said to be waiting for the arrival of the deceased’s brothers, who are based in the UK.

Ex-ZIFA vice president Vincent Pamire described Zvobgo as a man who worked tirelessly for the betterment of clubs and players.

Pamire said he was very passionate about the game and was a good administrator, who served the game and his club Chapungu with distinction.

“He was a great leader who liked the game so much.

“His dream was to see the clubs prosper, hence the decision to have autonomy in running the clubs’ affairs,” said Pamire.

Peter Dube, who was Highlanders’ secretary in the PSL’s second year in 1994 up to January 1996, said Zvobgo worked so hard to brand the PSL.

“Zvobgo worked so well with most administrators. He wanted better for football and the clubs.

“May his family and the football community find comfort at this sad hour,” said Dube, who went on to have another term as Highlanders’ secretary between 1998 and 2000, and chairperson for two terms from 2012.

After being known as the NPSL, the league then changed its identity to the Premier Soccer League.

Mourners are gathered at House Number 17697 New Cranborne in Harare.