OnSport Reporter
FC PLATINUM midfielder Devine Mhindirira has expressed deep shock at the untimely death of his captain Brian Banda, whom he says they were supposed to travel together to Bulawayo on the ill-fated Sunday.
Banda died tragically on Sunday from injuries sustained when he was involved in a traffic accident along the Masvingo-Bulawayo Road on his way to Bulawayo from his base in Zvishavane.
Mhindirira, who also played with Banda at Highlanders, said he had to travel early and left Banda behind after the skipper overslept.
“We usually travel together to Bulawayo and we initially wanted to travel after the game (FC Platinum versus Simba Bhora at Mandava on Saturday) but decided to depart early on Sunday to ensure we are in time for the Highlanders match. On Saturday evening we agreed to leave early in the morning and I set his alarm at 6:30am but when I called him around 7am his phone was not going through. I asked someone to check on him around 8am and he found him. I spoke to him when I was already on my way to Bulawayo and he asked for bus fare and I told him I have left some change at the shops so he could collect follow,” Mhindirira said.
He said Banda called him when he left Zvishavane and they had another conversation when the captain was in Filabusi on his way, and that was the last.
“I went to BF (for the Highlanders versus MWOS game) and struggled to get in as I was late and then I learnt that Banda was involved in an accident. I got several calls from people who thought we were together,” said a heartbroken Mhindirira.
Banda was born on September 9, 1995 and made his debut for Highlanders in 2016 season against Chapungu, coming in for King Nadolo, stepping in as a second-half substitute for King Nadolo, in a game that Bosso won 1-0.
Throughout his time at Highlanders, he became notable for his sterling performance, scoring eight goals despite facing challenges, including a debut league goal where he scored as Highlanders fell 1-2 to Triangle.
He won three trophies with Highlanders where he played 117 games, 99 league appearances and 18 cup competitions.
Banda moved to FC Platinum in 2021 and made his first appearance in their first game against Tenax, where he contributed to a commanding 6-1 victory, scoring his first league goal for the club for the Zvishavane-based club.
He reached the milestone of 100 matches for FC Platinum against his former side Highlanders in a game that ended in a 1-1 draw.
Banda scored six career goals for FC Platinum, five league and one in a cup competition, playing 114 matches for the Norman Mapeza-coached side.
He has won league title and appeared nine times for the Warriors.
Mourners are gathered at Number 7550, Caravan, Cowdray Park.
