The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda – Sports Reporter
Former fifa referee, businessman-cum-politician and socialite Tichaona “Giant” Chapfika — who succumbed to cancer in Chitungwiza last Thursday — was buried at his rural home in Uzumba yesterday afternoon.
Chapfika, a no-nonsense referee during his career, died at the age of 44.
Chapfika’s burial ceremony was attended by hundreds of mourners who included sports personalities, businessmen and politicians.
zifa board member John Phiri, referees manager Obert Mamvura, top flight league referees Ruzive Ruzive, Bongani Gadzikwa, Nomore Musundire and the 2014 Referee of the Year Second Runner-Up Stella Ruvinga represented the football fraternity.
Former TV presenter Robson Mhandu, Uzumba MP Simbaneuta Mudarikwa and various councillors were among the politicians in attendance.
Phiri, an ex-Warriors player, described Chapfika’s death as a sad loss to the football fraternity; while Mamvura challenged the current crop of referees to emulate the late official’s bravery in the centre of the field.
“The man we are burying today was one of the bravest referees I have ever seen in Zimbabwe. Probably he took advantage of his huge frame, but you could feel his presence every time he was at the centre.
“He was not afraid of making decisions. I played in a game he officiated towards the end of my career and what I remember most about him was his imposing figure.
“Zimbabwe has lost a football hero, a referee who made the country proud through his handling of international assignments.
“Such calibre of referees are rare to come by. The soccer legends have also sent me here to thank the Chapfika family for giving Zimbabwe a football personality like Tichaona,” said Phiri.
Zimbabwe referees desk manager Mamvura, who also presented US$300 to the Chapfika family on behalf of the body he represents, chronicled the late Giant’s rise to stardom.
“He was always enthusiastic to learn during his early days, we trained him to be what he turned out to be and we are proud of our achievement.
“I worked with him, seeing him grow from a lower division referee into a fully-fledged fifa official.
“When he retired in 2009, he was promoted to be a match commissioner and that is the post he held until his death,” said Mamvura.
Former referees chair and international referee of repute, Gladmore Muzambi, urged the referees to sustain Chapfika’s legacy.
“We introduced Chapfika to refereeing when he was still playing soccer in the lower leagues. It did not take him long to establish himself as a referee; he excelled until he reached the international arena.
“Refereeing is the loser today. My hope is that the referees we have today will sustain Chapfika’s legacy particularly his bravery,” said Muzambi.
The late Chapfika’s leadership qualities, his business acumen, love for league champions Dynamos and his unpredictable temper were the attributes the mourners talked about most as they bade farewell to a modern legend.
Chapfika is survived by his wife and two children.
