FANS MOURN RIX MWEEMBA

MATHEWS NDANDULA WRITES@SunZambianHUNDREDS of soccer fans last Friday trooped to Mazabuka to put the late Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) vice president Rix Mweemba to rest.Zambia Sports Fans Association (ZASPOFA) patron Peter Makembo led the colourful majorettes and band to the Southern Province town and provided the late Veep with a heroic send off.Pastor Makembo describe Mweemba as a humble man who was accommodative to everyone in football admin-istration be it at the office or on trips outside the country.“I am here to give a befitting send off to this wonderful man who has left us while we still wanted him to serve us. Mr. Mweemba was a humble and passionate man in the game of football, the thing which he has left as of now as Zambia were going in to these moves where they are these wrangles between the members themselves they have taken each other to court and FIFA have come on board as they want to see how best we can sort it out ourselves.“The man was there defending FAZ, quoting the constitution right, left and center and he was very brave.“He once told me, Pastor I want the World Cup here, so that I can move with it in my home town Mazabuka – as that was his dream, so I will have to make sure that his dream comes to pass we will win the World Cup. His was to build not to destroy that is why am here with my machinery because wherever I was with my drums he was there to dance to it,” said Makembo.Self-proclaimed Football Number 1 fan Kennedy ‘Magrosa’ Lungu said Mweemba was an exemplary man adding that during his ban as a fan the late played a key position in lifting his suspension.“I remember during the time I was banned by FAZ from attending any football game at the stadiums, the late Mweemba came in to help in the lifting of my suspension. He was someone who gave chance to everyone at his office, very accommodative as he will respect you even though you are younger than him. I will really miss him,” said Magrosa.And Zanaco Football Club Supporters chairman Chrispin Malata said the death of Mweemba is something that has really shocked a lot of fans.“It will be difficult to replace that good man, he left when we needed him most when you go to his office he will not even use English you could chat with him comfortably in any language as if you’re not into the vice pres-ident s office, he was ready to help the fans in many ways whenever you reach him,” said Malata.And Kasco Rangers vice treasurer Enock Mudenda said the club will miss Mweemba as players had never suf-fered under his administration.“He has left a gap at Kasco Rangers players have a very good condition which were introduced by Rix Mweemba and now all that is left is for me to continue doing what he was passionate at,” said Mudenda.And Football Association of Zambia aspiring presidential candidate Joseph Nkole said the late was a great lead-er who served in three different executives – a sign of why he is remembered by many as a good administrator.“He loved football, he development grassroot football in southern province as he was responsible for the success of Kasco Rangers,” Nkole said. The Sun