Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
ONE person died on the spot while former national team midfield star Ronald “Gidiza” Sibanda and seven players from his Lobengula Stars FC were seriously injured when they were involved in a road accident on Monday.
The team was travelling from Tsholotsho where they had lost 0-2 to Premier Soccer League side Tsholotsho FC in a friendly match when the truck they were travelling in overturned in Nyamandlovu.
Bigboy Gumede, the person who died, had been given a lift in the truck the players were travelling in at the Nyamandlovu shops.
Sibanda and five players, Nicky Kaunda, Justice Ndlovu, Pardon Khumalo, Innocent Matamba and Artwell Moyo were admitted to Mpilo Hospital.
“Nicky is in the intensive care unit while the other four players are also still in hospital. Gidiza has some internal injuries and has gone for a scan,” said Lobengula Stars director and Tsholotsho FC assistant coach Bongani Mafu.
The former national team midfielder complained of chest, back and neck pains.
Sibanda said the accident happened when the driver of their truck tried to avoid a pothole and lost control of the vehicle.
“The driver tried to avoid a pothole and lost control of the truck and instead of applying brakes, he accelerated and the vehicle overturned.
“We’re lucky to be alive and right now my main worry is the boys that are seriously injured and we pray that they recover,” said Sibanda.
Lobengula Stars play in the Zifa Bulawayo Metropolitan Province’s Division Two League.