Former Zimbabwean soccer captain Francis Shonhayi dies

By Violet Gonda
30 March 2006

Francis Shonhayi, the former Zimbabwean football captain, has died aged 39. The man who was affectionately known as Sandura died at Victoria Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. It’s reported he was put on life support after he was admitted to the hospital Wednesday, suffering from meningitis and TB.

The 39 year old grew up in Gweru where he did his secondary education at Chaplin High School. He played for Bata Powers before joining Dynamos football Club in the late 80s. Shonyayi played in the same squad with other famous names like Claudius Zviripayi and Memory Mucherahowa.

Speaking from the UK Mucherahowa said he was shocked to hear the news. He said Shonhayi was both a friend and a team-mate, “He was one of the best defenders ever produced in Zimbabwe. To me he was second, after Sunday Marimo.”

Former Caps United captain Joel Mugabe also paid tribute to the late soccer star. He said; “I was shocked to hear the news because he was one of Zimbabwe’s greatest players and there will always be one Francis Shonhayi. I don’t know how to describe it. It’s very sad.”

Shonhayi left Zimbabwe for South Africa in the mid 90’s, where he played for several premier soccer league clubs until his retirement 5 years ago due to injuries.

At the time of his death Shonhayi was working as a personal driver for his former boss from the South African football club Cape Town Spurs.

Mucherahowa said sadly this is the case in Africa, especially in Zimbabwe, where sports personalities are underpaid and under appreciated.