NKAMBENI – A profound silence descended upon Buhlebuyeza at Nkambeni yesterday.

Nearly a thousand mourners gathered to pay a heart-wrenching farewell to Gcina Fakudze, affectionately known as ‘Danger’. The sheer multitude of sorrowful faces bore witness to the emotional final goodbyes for the beloved Ben United goalkeeper.

Fakudze’s sudden passing, just eight days prior, sent a ripple of disbelief through the community. He succumbed to injuries sustained in a stabbing incident, allegedly following an altercation with Mbabane Highlanders winger, Thando Dube. Reports suggest the fatal stab was delivered to his left arm, and despite efforts by Dube to secure a vehicle to rush him to hospital, ‘Danger’ tragically faded away en route.

grieving

Leading the solemn service, Fakudze’s own team, Ben United, formed the grieving vanguard. Their collective spirit, a beacon amid the gloom, resonated deeply with the deceased’s family and the overwhelming youth presence among the mourners. For a solemn 45 minutes, they transformed the journey to the community gravesite into a mournful procession, their voices rising in unison with haunting chants that pierced the morning air. United are a regional soccer team.

Then, just metres from the final resting place, the procession paused. In a powerful, symbolic gesture, they reverently lifted the coffin from the vehicle, carrying their fallen teammate until they reached the open earth, which swallowed him in their disbelief. A suffocating sorrow then fell as the coffin descended. It was gently, permanently, lowered into the grave; an intense hush fell over the assembled crowd. Memories of ‘Danger’, his spirit and his presence on the pitch seemed to swirl in the minds of family, friends, relatives and the team as they watched, tears dripping down their cheeks. Disbelief clouded many eyes; a shared, silent agony that the promising life of ‘Danger’ was extinguished far too soon.

Some players, their voices heavy with grief, struggled to articulate their feelings. “It’s unbelievable to see him gone without even touching the trophy we’ve won,” one said. They reminisced about holding pole position throughout the rest of the season, a bittersweet reminder of triumphs he would now only witness in spirit.

… Ben United pay tribute to slain star

NKAMBENI – The late Ben United goalkeeper from Buhlebeyeza, Gcina ‘Danger’ Fakudze, has been hailed for his unwavering loyalty to the team.

Head Coach Sabelo Mavuso expressed profound grief, stating that the team was shattered by the death of one of their longest-serving goalkeepers. He said Fakudze had been with the club since his high school days until his passing at the age of 30. Mavuso said Fakudze left a significant void in the team, acknowledging his great contributions. He specifically attributed their 2024/25 Khuphuka Zonal League championship victory to the late player. “He has been with us for so many seasons, I can’t even recall, but since his high school, he has been with us and we have won so many tournaments with him,” Mavuso said.

The coach further expressed regret that ‘Danger’ would not witness the prize presentation for the 2024/25 Royal Eswatini Sugar (RES) Corporation Khuphuka Zonal League. The ceremony was originally scheduled for the past weekend but was postponed to this week. It is also worth noting that Ben United were reportedly the childhood club of Thando Dube, the Mbabane Highlanders winger allegedly involved in the incident leading to Fakudze’s death.