daniel chigunwe
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
HARARE giants Dynamos remain the last Zimbabwean club to reach the CAF Champions League semi-final, and they did so in 2008, under the guidance of David “Yogi” Mandigora. Mandigora died on June 12, 2021.
David George, who died on December 23, 2023, was Mandigora’s first assistant during that historic campaign.
Nyika Chifamba, the team manager of that technical setup, passed away on September 18, 2024.
And now Richard Chihoro , who was Mandigora’s second assistant coach, has died.
Popularly known as “Nyoka’’, Chihoro died in Harare on Thursday night after reportedly complaining of pain in his chest and legs. He was 68.
Chihoro’s death leaves Tichaona Diya, who was the goalkeepers’ coach, as the only surviving member from DeMbare’s contingent of coaches in 2008.
By yesterday, Diya was still to come to terms with Chihoro’s death.
“I didn’t realise I was the last man standing from that technical setup,” Diya told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday.
Diya worked with Chihoro for eight consecutive years between 2006 and 2014.
After working under Mandigora and Chihoro, Diya also formed part of Kalisto Pasuwa’s technical team that led Dynamos to four straight league titles between 2011 and 2014.
“It’s so sad to lose all my brothers in football; they all taught me a lot of things. They introduced me to coaching and it’s so painful to be the last man standing.
“Chihoro was way older than me, but he would always listen to my advice. I am still in shock; I can’t believe Mudhara Nyoka is gone.”
A funeral service was held in the capital before Chihoro’s body was taken to Rufaro and Gwanzura stadiums, where the Dynamos director of football made his mark.
ZIFA chief executive officer Yvonne Manwa; ex-DeMbare coaches Genesis Mangombe and Kalisto Pasuwa; current coach Lloyd Chigowe; and the club’s ex-players, including Gift Muzadzi, Ralph Kawondera, Zondai Nyaungwa, Murape Murape and Desmond Maringwa, also joined family, friends and hordes of DeMbare supporters who thronged the funeral service.
Club secretary-general Webster Marechera led the crew from the Dynamos executive. At Rufaro, ex-captain and assistant coach Murape, a close ally of Chihoro, poured his heart out. Murape believes Chihoro died a bitter man. Chihoro had been suspended by the executive and was awaiting a hearing at the time of his death.
He was also reportedly owed money, including from Dynamos’ Confederation Cup participation.
“Dynamos should learn to take care of its employees when they are still alive.
“Imagine, Chihoro was now struggling to raise funds to go to hospital and yet he dedicated his life to this club. He tried in vain to get his outstanding dues from the club but nothing came his way,’’ an irate Murape said.
Chihoro was one of the longest-serving technical members at Dynamos.
After serving as assistant coach, he was appointed team manager in 2011, a position he held until August 2023, when he was reassigned to the position of liaison manager. At the time of his death, he had been appointed the club’s football director.
Juju master
But many recognised Chihoro as DeMbare’s “juju man’’. They believed he possessed supernatural powers that aided Dynamos on the pitch. In March 2023, he was suspended by the Premier Soccer League for alleged juju antics during a match against Hwange at Barbourfields Stadium.
That was after a video emerged of him sprinkling an unknown substance at a goal post. However, in an interview with The Sunday Mail on his 60th birthday, he surprisingly declared that juju could not work in football.
“I know many people are scared of me. They believe I am a juju master and contribute to their respective teams’ failure to beat Dynamos or the manner in which their players wet their pants when they come face to face with my team,” he said back then. “I have been a mysterious man to some, controversial to others and a supernatural guru to the majority who believe I am the DeMbare juju man.
“However, those who have known me for the 60 years that God has blessed me with are aware that I am a totally different man from that imaginary Chihoro figure who is credited with masterminding Dynamos’ numerous Houdini acts through his supernatural powers.
“Juju, yes, it is there, but it doesn’t work in football.”
At one point, Chihoro walked around Bosso’s team bus before a match at the National Sports Stadium as if he was performing a ritual and DeMbare went on to win the match. Former Highlanders vice chairperson Modern Ngwenya remembers those blockbuster battles between Dynamos and Highlanders in which Chihoro would hog the limelight.
“We have lost a larger-than-life character, a gallant football son, an icon, a luminary,” said Ngwenya.
“We respect Dynamos for being one of the biggest teams in the league; of course, Bosso is the oldest. The rivalry between Dynamos and Highlanders keeps the PSL ticking, so I respect the sons of both clubs who contributed immensely to the greatness of these two giants.”
Patson Moyo was Dynamos’ chairperson when the Glamour Boys reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals in 2008.
He had also led DeMbare to their first league title in 10 years in 2007. Moyo described the late Chihoro as “an exceptional talent”.
“He was one of the longest-serving members in the technical administration of Dynamos and he played a pivotal role in the historic 2008 Champions League run,” he said.
“His great work and commitment was testament to him later earning the position of director of football at this great club Dynamos; he dedicated his life to serve with distinction.”
Former Dynamos striker Edward Sadomba recalled the lighter moments he shared with Chihoro. Sadomba starred for DeMbare in 2008 before earning a move to a foreign club.
“I am very saddened,” said Sadomba.
“We worked together well with ‘Bla Nyoka’; he was such a jovial character, always smiling.
“May his family find comfort in these difficult moments.”
Former Dynamos captain Justice Majabvi found a fatherly figure in Chihoro when he joined the Harare giants from Lancashire Steel.
“He gave me some words of encouragement. We won the 2007 championship with Dynamos and also reached the semis of the 2008 Champions League. It’s so devastating to lose one of our members in football circles. Chihoro was a great man, very understanding, very social and we worked together well,” said Majabvi.
Mourners are gathered at Number 31589, Unit K, Chitungwiza.
