HARARE – CAPS United technical director and assistant coach Nelson Matongorere has died aged 68, the club announced on Thursday.

A coaching instructor respected across the game, Matongorere died at Parirenyatwa Hospital where he had been admitted since suffering a stroke before United’s match with Highlanders last month.

Matongorere’s dedication is credited for the growth of women’s football in the country in the 1990s.

He worked as a ZIFA technical director with the women’s national team and also had stints coaching the man’s national Under 20 and Under 23 sides.

After acquiring a Level 1 coaching certificate in 1981, Matongorere went for further training in countries like Brazil and Holland. He returned home to share the knowledge with young coaches who went on to build successful careers including Lloyd Chitembwe, Kalisto Pasuwa and Norman Mapeza.

“When I say every coach in this country passed through him, I mean it,” Black Rhinos coach Nesbert Saruchera said following news of Matongorere’s death.

He is survived by his widow Elizabeth Matongorere and five children.