Tragedy strikes Zimbo family in the UK as teen footie star dies in his sleep
By Lance Guma
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NOTTINGHAM, UK – A distraught Zimbabwean father has spoken of his pain after his 14 year old football and rugby playing son died in his sleep eight days ago in the Aspley Suburb of Nottingham in the UK.
A devastated Michael Mandaza opened up to Nehanda Radio on the tragic death of his son Malvern who died on a Sunday, a day after his sister’s birthday party. Malvern was a promising footballer who played for Highson Green Juniors. Many expected him to break into the Nottingham Forest Juniors
Mandaza says the kids who were sleeping in the same room as Malvern said he was breathing heavily around 1am and they thought he was playing a practical joke on them or praying and even suggested he lower the noise because they wanted to sleep. They had no idea he was struggling to breathe.
Strangely Malvern had no known health problems and the father is at a loss to explain how this could have happened. The family have been told post-mortem results will take between 21 to 30 days.
“On Friday Malvern had played rugby and in the evening went to the Destiny Christian Centre. On Saturday he was involved in the shopping and setting up of the lights and braai stands for his sister’s 4th birthday party,” Mandaza said.
Condolence messages having been flooding in for the family including visits by former Zimbabwe national team footballers like Liberty Masunda, George Mbwando who phoned and others who worked closely with Mandaza in organising football tournaments.
Mandaza meanwhile has told Nehanda Radio that Malvern will be buried in the UK and relatives from Zimbabwe will come over for the funeral. His mother in law who works in Kenya and his father in Zimbabwe are expected to attend.
