Dark cloud hovers over cricket as husband-wife coa...

Dark cloud hovers over cricket as husband-wife coaches die weeks apart

Zimbabwe cricket team shocked! Suspicious death of coach couple — The late couple of Sinikiwe Mpofu (R) and husband Shepherd Makura (L)

Gilbert Munetsi

Sinikiwe Mpofu, the Lady Chevrons coach on Saturday, January 7, collapsed and died at her Masvingo home. Her death comes a few weeks after that of her husband, former men’s national team fielding coach Shepherd Makura. Mpofu was 37.

Though supposed to have travelled to South Africa with the U19 ladies team that is participating in the inaugural ICC World Cup, Makura had been given reprieve to mourn her late husband.

The duo had met – and tied the knot a decade ago - through the sport of cricket where both left an indelible mark.

Mpofu made history by becoming the first female coach to be in charge of a national team and, at one time, also doubled as a player-coach. At the time of her death, she was head coach of the Mountaineers Women side.

On the other hand, her late husband, Makunura, coached Masvingo side Southern Rocks and also wrote his own piece of history by winning, in four consecutive seasons, the Logan Cup.

Mpofu and Makunura are survived by two sons.

Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Cricket Board, Management, staff and players have conveyed their condolences to the Mpofu and Makunura families on the passing of "a gifted and hardworking young woman who excelled both as a player and a coach.

“Death has robbed us of a genuinely warm individual, more importantly a loving mother, and deprived so many others, including all of us, of one of the pioneers of women’s cricket in Zimbabwe who went on to excel as a coach at provincial and national levels.

“With her sudden passing coming just a few weeks after the death of her loving husband, who was also a part of our national team coaching setup, this is particularly a difficult and painful time for their young children, families, friends and the entire cricket fraternity. In extending to them our heartfelt condolences, we wish them courage and strength to bear this devastating loss," said ZC Managing Director, Givemore Makoni in a statement Sunday.

Burial arrangements are yet to be announced.