BULAWAYO – Brian Banda was laid to rest on Thursday at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo, marking the end of a young footballer’s career that had only begun to show its full potential.
Banda’s star was now beginning to rise, evident with a series of senior national team call ups he was now receiving.
He made his senior debut in 2023 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers held in Rwanda.
This was evidence the 29-year old’s football career was now taking shape, in fact, a positive direction.
Now, beyond the field, the heartbreaking reality facing Banda’s young family, his wife, two daughters and a newborn son whom he never got the chance to meet, is their welfare following such tragedy.
The child was born just two weeks before Banda’s untimely death.
He was on his way to meet him when he lost his life and reports suggest he had promised to name him.
While life moves on, the immediate concern is how his family, which probably depended on him financially, will survive in his absence.
Amid this uncertainty, Sisale has offered a glimmer of hope.
Speaking on the sidelines of the burial, FC Platinum chairman Dumisani Sisale addressed the issue of Banda’s contract.
He assured, the club will not abruptly halt the player’s salary.
“We will discuss this serious matter,” said Sisale. “But definitely, we won’t abruptly cut Brian’s salary.
“This was an unexpected tragedy and we must handle it with the utmost care.”
Banda had recently renewed his contract with FC Platinum and was believed to have about 18 months remaining.
Sisale admitted this is the first time such a tragedy has struck the club and as such, there are no specific policies in place to deal with such scenarios.
“This has never happened before at FC Platinum. It’s not covered in our policies, but that does not mean we won’t honour our obligations,” he said.
Now looking at that, Ubuntuism must prevail in this situation.
Asked whether the club would pay the remainder of Banda’s contract to his family, Sisale responded.
“We will treat this matter with the seriousness it deserves. As a club, we will sit down and chart a way forward.
“For now, I propose that at least three months of his salary be paid to his family while we evaluate our next steps.”
Sisale, who is currently vying for the Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairmanship in July, believes the tragedy should serve as a wake up call to the Zimbabwean football fraternity.
Banda’s death in a horrific road accident last Sunday, while still an active player, should prompt urgent discussion: What happens to a player’s family when tragedy strikes during a running contract?
Arguably, it’s a necessary conversation the entire football community must now engage in, because moments like these demand more than sympathy.
In fact, the moment demands action.
Discover more from Nehanda Radio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
