Zimbabwe married cricket coaches die three weeks apart

The couple are survived by two children.
Sinikiwe Mpofu, 37, assistant coach of the women's national team, died "suddenly" on January 7, having been pronounced dead on arrival at a medical facility after collapsing at her home in Masvingo.
The former international, nicknamed 'Sneeze', was married to Zimbabwe men's coach Shepherd Makunura , who died on December 15 after a long battle with illness, at the age of 46.
Mpofu was a talented all-rounder who was part of the historic squad that played the Lady Chevrons' first-ever international game in December 2006.
"Sinikiwe's departure has upset us," said women's national team captain Mary-Anne Musonda.
"It's the least we expected right after burying her husband.
"There was always joy and laughter with her and she was an inspiration to many."
A statement from Zimbabwe Cricket described described her post-player career as "an integral part of Zimbabwe Cricket's game development structures" at provincial and national.
Mpofu was part of the technical teams that saw Zimbabwe excel in women's cricket in Africa, earning one-day international status and recently finishing one win away from qualifying for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
As head coach, she guided women mountaineers to victory in the first Fifty50 challenge - the Zimbabwe Women's One-Day Provincial Championship - in the 2020/21 season.
"Death has robbed us of a truly warm individual," Zimbabwe Cricket chief executive says , Givemore Makoni.< /p>
"Most importantly, [she was] a loving mother...one pioneers of women's cricket in Zimbabwe who went on to excel as a coach at provincial and national level weeks after the death of her loving husband, who was also part of our national coaching staff roster, this is a particularly difficult and painful time for their young children, families, friends and the entire cricketing fraternity."
Makunura and Mpofu were both products of the Black Player and Coaching Development Program, and they looked set to serve the game in Zimbabwe for many years to come.

Sports Jan 11, 2023 0 25 Add to Reading List

Zimbabwe married cricket coaches die three weeks apart

The couple are survived by two children.

Sinikiwe Mpofu, 37, assistant coach of the women's national team, died "suddenly" on January 7, having been pronounced dead on arrival at a medical facility after collapsing at her home in Masvingo.

The former international, nicknamed 'Sneeze', was married to Zimbabwe men's coach Shepherd Makunura , who died on December 15 after a long battle with illness, at the age of 46.

Mpofu was a talented all-rounder who was part of the historic squad that played the Lady Chevrons' first-ever international game in December 2006.

"Sinikiwe's departure has upset us," said women's national team captain Mary-Anne Musonda.

"It's the least we expected right after burying her husband.

"There was always joy and laughter with her and she was an inspiration to many."

A statement from Zimbabwe Cricket described described her post-player career as "an integral part of Zimbabwe Cricket's game development structures" at provincial and national.

Mpofu was part of the technical teams that saw Zimbabwe excel in women's cricket in Africa, earning one-day international status and recently finishing one win away from qualifying for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

As head coach, she guided women mountaineers to victory in the first Fifty50 challenge - the Zimbabwe Women's One-Day Provincial Championship - in the 2020/21 season.

"Death has robbed us of a truly warm individual," Zimbabwe Cricket chief executive says , Givemore Makoni.< /p>

"Most importantly, [she was] a loving mother...one pioneers of women's cricket in Zimbabwe who went on to excel as a coach at provincial and national level weeks after the death of her loving husband, who was also part of our national coaching staff roster, this is a particularly difficult and painful time for their young children, families, friends and the entire cricketing fraternity."

Makunura and Mpofu were both products of the Black Player and Coaching Development Program, and they looked set to serve the game in Zimbabwe for many years to come.