FORMER CAPS United skipper Joe “Kode” Mugabe has died.
Mugabe, who relocated to the United Kingdom at the turn of the millennium, died in the early hours of Sunday morning after a battle with cancer. He was just a few weeks shy of his 53rd birthday.
Friend and former teammate Timothy Chirozvani, who is also based in the UK, confirmed the death.
Mugabe was vice-captain when CAPS United won their first ever league championship in 1996. His death comes just two weeks after the passing of their championship winning coach, Steve “The Dude” Kwashi.
He had a stellar career in the Green Machine colours which saw him being nominated Soccer Star of the Year finalist four times in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2001.
The former midfield kingpin was also the CAPS United Players’ Player of the Season a record four times in 1993, 1994, 1998 and 2001.
He had made his debut for the Green Machine in 1988 and went on to win a number of trophies during the halcyon days for Zimbabwe’s “Cup Kings”.
Mugabe was still involved in football development as chairman of the CAPS United Legends UK, a registered community organisation that is assisting in the growth of junior football in Zimbabwe.
He had partnered other former CAPS United players that includes Frank Nyamukuta, Timothy Chirozvani, Cannisius
Tongesai, Liberty Masunda, Tichaona Nyenda, Leonard Chirozvani, Charles Chikeya and United States-based Mpumelelo Dzowa.
They have donated football kits to a number of academies in Zimbabwe in the last few years. Mugabe is survived by his wife Jennifer and children Irene, Ashley and Alvin.
