CAPS plunged into mourning

Zim Now Writer

The CAPS United family has been plunged into mourning following the death of the father of one of the architects of their success stories in the early part of this millennium.

The Green Machine were the dominant side on the domestic scene in 2004 and 2005 seasons when they won back-to-back Premiership titles under coach Charles Mhlauri.

While the then club president, Twine Phiri, was the face of that success story, there were many “silent” partners who were playing a big role behind the scenes.

One of them was businessman Cosmas Nyachiya, who was bankrolling some of the club’s expenses, including the incentives, which were being paid to the players and coaches.

Nyachiya is a lifelong Green Machine fan and has continued helping the club over the years.

On Tuesday morning, tragedy struck, when he lost his father, Patrick, who was 79.

The elder Nyachiya was admitted into hospital last week, underwent surgery and even appeared to be on the road back to recovery.

However, things changed overnight between Monday and Tuesday morning when Patrick Nyachiya passed away.

“It’s a tragedy to our entire family because he was the bond who has been holding us together for as long as we can remember,” a devastated Cosmas said.

A CAPS United official said the whole club will feel the pain which has been inflicted on one of their “all-weather colleagues.”

Preliminary arrangements indicate Patrick Nyachiya will be laid to rest at the family’s rural home in Uzumba tomorrow.