UGANDA Cricket Association (UCA) said they were hit to the bone by the untimely death of Zimbabwe Women’s cricket Assistant Coach Sinikiwe Gava “Sneeze” Mpofu.
The Lady Chevrons and their East African counterparts have enjoyed a cordial relationship culminating in a series of games between them.
Mpofu collapsed at her home in Masvingo and was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Her death comes just three weeks after her husband, Southern Rocks coach and Chevrons’ fielding coach Shepherd Makunura, passed away at a local hospital in Harare on December 15.
UCA Communications Manager Denis Musali said Mpofu inspired the Ugandan women’s national team players, dating back to her playing days.
“The passing of Sneeze hit us very hard. Sneeze inspired a generation of Victoria Pearls players during her playing days, especially in our first meeting in 2006 in Nairobi, Kenya,” Musali told EnterSportNews.
“When she took up coaching after her playing days, she became a role model for the ladies and a sign that there was a future for them in the game even when their playing days were over.”
Mpofu’s body lies in the state today at her family home in Njube, Bulawayo. Her burial is slated for Wednesday morning at Bulawayo’s Lady Stanley Cemetery. Initially, she was set to be laid to rest at Mvutshwa Cemetery, but her family confirmed the changes this evening.
“Her passing is a great loss to the ladies’ game, not just in Zimbabwe but the continent as a whole and at a very young age,” added Musali.
“Her warmth and kindness will be greatly missed on the ladies’ tour, and as Uganda Cricket Association, we send our condolences to the family and the Zimbabwe Cricket fraternity. May her soul rest in peace.”
Sending condolences in his private capacity as part of the African cricket fraternity, former President of Rwanda Cricket Association, Eddie Balaba, commiserated with Mpofu’s family and her loved ones.
“It is indeed very sad news to hear of the passing of Sinikiwe so soon after the passing of Shepherd,” Balaba told EnterSportNews.
“I condole with their families and their children. It is such a tragedy for African cricket and especially the women’s game.”
