Doves finance Yohane`s repatriation…as former teammates collude to buy coffin

Doves finance Yohane`s repatriation…as former teammates collude to buy coffin

Alex Ndhlovu

Former Warriors left back Charles Yohane`s body will be repatriated back to Zimbabwe for burial, after Doves pledged to handle the costs.

Doves, a funeral services provider has a subsidiary in South Africa which has been instructed to handle the paperwork.

In a statement, the company`s General Manager for Marketing, Mr Joel Gombera said the assistance is the least they could to the man of Yohane`s stature.

“We have lost a fine gentleman of the beautiful game of soccer, a Caps United and Warriors legend with a cultured left foot. The family have since communicated their preferred burial arrangements which will be made public in due course,” said Gombera.

Yohane was in the team that made history to qualify to the AFCON for the first time in Tunisia 2004 with the likes of Kaitano Tembo, Dumisani Mpofu, Daisy Kapenya and Captain Peter Ndhlovu.

Locally he played for Fire Batteries FC and Caps United before leaving for greener pastures at Bidvest Wits FC In South Africa.

At the time of his death he was driving a Bolt Taxi.

Fifa president Mr Gianni Infantino have sent condolence message to Zimbabwe following the death of former warriors defender Charles Yohane who was murdered in South Africa over the weekend.

Former players in South Africa including Esrom Nyandoro and Benjani Mwaruwari contributed funds to buy a casket for Yohane and also sent some money to his family to assist with the lengthy funeral.

Fifa has also joined mourners who commiserated with the country and the Yohane family.

In a letter, addressed to suspended Zifa president Felton Kamambo Fifa described Yohane as a disciplined and dedicated player whose human qualities will not be forgotten and truly missed

“Legend of Zimbabwean Football, leader, disciplined and dedicated player, his personality and his human qualities will not be forgotten and he will be truly missed.

On behalf of the international football community, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the Zimbabwe Football Association, and to Charles’ family, friends and loved ones. Our thoughts are with all of you.

We hope that these memories and our words of support may help bring some peace and solace at this difficult time,” Fifa President Infantino said in the letter.