HARARE – Black Rhinos legend and 2002 Soccer Star of the Year first runner-up Gift Kamuriwo has died at the age of 47.
Kamuriwo, who was dogged by controversy of match fixing over the last year, died on Tuesday morning after being unwell for some time and being treated at a military hospital in the capital.
Black Rhinos organising secretary Wellington Mabiginye confirmed Kamuriwo’s death.
Kamuriwo turned to football management after hanging up his boots, but his spell on the touchline was not without controversy.
He was sentenced to four months in prison after he failed to restitute US$1,200 he had allegedly conned one Memory Dzingai.
Kamuriwo was banned for three years in a match fixing case which involved Harare side Herentals, which was battling relegation in the Premier Soccer League.
After initially admitting to receiving money from middleman Oliver Chirenga when he was team manager for the army side, Kamuriwo would flip before presenting an affidavit that said the money he had received was not to manipulate a league match against Black Rhinos.
The evidence given by Kamuriwo led to the escape of Herentals who had been found guilty by the PSL Disciplinary Committee. The Zifa Appeals Committee adjudged that the league’s rules and regulations did not have a specific rule that dealt with standard proof that should be used in complex and serious cases.
France based Warriors striker Tino Kadewere, who plays for giants Olympique Lyon, paid tribute to the former Warriors midfielder.
“Our heartfelt condolences to the Kamuriwo and the football fraternity at large on the passing on of Gift Guava Kamuriwo,” said Kadewere in a statement through his foundation.
