By Lawrence Trusida Sport Editor
FOOTBALL legend George ‘Mastermind’ Shaya who died last week on Tuesday was buried on Saturday at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare.
The Mastermind is widely regarded as the greatest local football player of all time and his send-off was befitting.
Shaya holds a record which was set more than 40 years ago after being named soccer star of the year five times and the burial procession portrayed the picture of a legend.
The procession brought the city of Harare to a standstill, moving through iconic venues such as Rufaro and Gwanzura stadia.
The Who Is Who of Zimbabwean football from different eras came to pay their last respects.
His long-time friend and teammate Ernest Kamba described him as a football genius and a humble human being.
“Shaya was a quality player and even off the pitch he held himself with the highest regard he would not want to cause a scene but wanted to make sure his football does the talking,” he said.
For the sake of Shaya and the foundation that he laid the football community was called upon to be united.
“Shaya was a loving man and he brought everyone together, I hope you unite for the development of the sport we saw Highlanders, Dynamos and Caps united chairpersons coming to the office together and that should happen a lot for the development of football,” said Eugenia Chidhakwa, Director for Sports & Recreation in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
Shaya was a man of action and true to that one of his protégés showcased his skills before his family was presented with a ball and his popular number 7 jersey.
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