Zimbabwe team analyst surprised watching players wearing black armbands for his mother loss
MUMBAI: Zimbabwe’s team analyst Stanley Chicoza was surprised to learn that the players wore black armbands to mourn for his mother’s loss.
Chicoza’s mother (Florence Pangiliwa) died at the age of 60, when the team analyst was performing duty during the 3rd ODI against India.
Speaking exclusively over his mobile, he said, “I was in the Zimbabwe team dressing room working during the Indian batting innings after lunch when the sad news of my mother’s death came to me”.
“Mothers are indeed important. Sad she had to go…”.
“She had recently turned 60 on the 18th May. She passed away while recovering from brain tumour surgery because of diabetes”.
“Me and my family are very thankful for the gesture shown by Zimbabwe National Team, thanks to the Team Management for allowing them to do, as a family we are humbled that they have us in their thoughts while carrying out National Duty against a Team such as India”.
“I certainly didn’t expect it, when I turned on the TV to watch the match I was actually wondering why the Zimbabwe batsmen have black armbands on until I heard Neil Manthorp in commentary make mention of it”.
Chicoza was not on duty on Monday.
“I don’t know why the players could not do so in the first T20 on Saturday..I laid my mother to rest on the same day”.
“National Team players and management came to my home on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. They have been very supportive”,
“She was a big cricket supporter, more so because my three elder brothers played cricket in school, so when I took it up as a full time profession she supported me and always watched and followed the National Games home and away. I wil;l certainly miss her…”
he signed off.