FIFA president Gianni Infantino has paid tribute to the late “Dream Team” legend and coach <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Rahman_Gumbo">Rahman Allen Thulani Gumbo</a> whose remains were buried at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo on Saturday, 18 November.
Dr Rush, as Gumbo was affectionately known by football fans, who played for and coached the Zimbabwe senior national team, passed away last Friday in Botswana.
In a letter to the ZIFA Normalisation Committee Chairperson Lincoln Mutasa, Infantino expressed his sorrow over Gumbo’s passing. He wrote:
<blockquote>
In memory of Rahman Gumbo
Dear Chairperson,
I would like to express my sincerest and heartfelt condolences on the passing of former international 
player and national team coach Rahman Gumbo.
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel for this loss.
During his career, Rahman Gumbo won several caps with the Zimbabwe national team and, at club 
level, he will be remembered for his career with Highlanders FC.
Following his retirement, he started a successful managerial career, notably in Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Malawi, winning several league titles.
He also coached the national team of Zimbabwe in three different stints.
Legend of Zimbabwe Football, one of the country’s leading football figures, his legacy and achievements, and in particular his personality, his leadership, his popularity and his human qualities will not be forgotten, and he will be truly missed.
On behalf of the international football community, I wish to extend our deepest sympathy to the Zimbabwe Football Association, and to Rahman Gumbo’s family, friends and loved ones. Our thoughts are with all of you.
We hope that these memories and our words of support may help bring some peace and solace at this difficult time.
Yours sincerely,
Gianni Infantino
</blockquote>
Gumbo was granted a state-assisted funeral by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, which means the costs associated with his burial were covered by the government.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/11/18/president-mnangagwa-reverses-the-appointment-of-general-valerio-sibanda-to-zanu-pf-politburo/">Pindula News</a>

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FIFA President Pays Tribute To Rahman Gumbo

The Warriors will wear black armbands in their game against Rwanda on Wednesday, 15 November, in tribute to the late <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Rahman_Gumbo">Rahman Gumbo</a>.
Gumbo (59) died of a suspected heart at his home in Botswana where he was based. A statement by ZIFA reads:
<blockquote>
Zimbabwe Warriors will wear black armbands in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Rwanda (Wednesday) and Nigeria (Sunday) to honor the passing of Rahman Gumbo, a former player and coach of the team.
Nicknamed Rush, Gumbo was a football icon who is celebrated for his immense contribution to the country’s most followed sport.
He served the nation with distinction both as a player and a coach.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Warriors To Wear Black Armbands In Honour Of Rahman Gumbo

Former Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo has been appointed head coach by Palapye-based Botswana Premiership side Morupule Wanderers on a two-year deal.
Gumbo, who coached Highlanders back home, got his new job less than a month after parting ways with another top side in Botswana, Sua Flamingoes.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Morupule Wanderers expressed confidence that Gumbo can make the club competitive in the local top-flight league. It said:
<blockquote>
This communique serves to announce that Morupule Wanderers Football Club has appointed Mr Rahman Gumbo to the position of the club head coach subject to work visa requirements.
Mr Gumbo has joined Bafana Ba Magala on a two-year contract. Mr. Gumbo has a wealth of coaching experience in football that is booed by many coaching accolades in Botswana, in his home country of Zimbabwe, and abroad.
The club believes Mr Gumbo to be the right head coach who can deliver on its mandate and its ambitions to compete at the high echelons of domestic football.
We pledge our utmost support to Mr Gumbo and expect the same from our supporters, stakeholders, and well-wishers.
We wish the head coach a fruitful and exciting stay at Bafana Ba Magala.
</blockquote>
Morupule Wanderers are in eighth position in the standings with 11 points, 14 points behind leaders Gaborone United.

Rahman Gumbo Finds New Coaching Job In Botswana's Topflight

Former Warriors coach Rahman Gumbo has been fired by Botswana Premier League club Sua Flamingoes following a string of poor results.
Gumbo lost five of the six 2022/23 championship matches, to leave the club in 15th position on the league table.
Sua Flamingoes are second from the bottom of the table with just three points from a possible 18.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 6 December, Sua Flamingoes who are in their second season in the BTC Premiership said:
<blockquote>
Sua Flamingoes FC informs its valued supporters, stakeholders, the media and the entire football fraternity that it has amicably parted ways with its Head Coach Mr Rahman Allen Gumbo with immediate effect.
</blockquote>
The team takes this opportunity to thank Coach Gumbo who immensely contributed to the growth of the team, leading them to a top-eight finish in our maiden season in the elite league.

Rahman Gumbo Sacked In Botswana

Warriors stand-in coach, Rahman Gumbo has said that the Warriors played well despite failing to win against Zambia. He also said that the match was part of the AFCON 2019 preparations and he had to rotate players so as to test them all. Zimbabwe was tipped to win the COSAFA cup since the team called for the tournament was believed to be the best Zimbabwe has set for the tournament so far. Usually, Zimbabwe uses only locally based and South African based players.
https://twitter.com/online_zifa/status/1136409487466795008
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/online_zifa/status/1136409487466795008" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZIFA</a>

WATCH: Warriors Coach Speaks Out After Losing To Zambia At COSAFA

Warriors assistant coach, Rahman Gumbo will take charge of the Warriors COSAFA semi-final game against Zambia in Durban on Wednesday.
This was necessitated by coach Sunday Chidzambga’s return to Zimbabwe after he was granted compassionate leave following the death of his father.
Gumbo’s temporary elevation was confirmed by sports journalist Yvonne Mangunda through a Facebook post. Mangunda Wrote:
<blockquote>Rahman Gumbo will be the coach for the COSAFA Cup semi-final against Zambia on Wednesday. Coach Sunday Chidzambwa has returned to Zimbabwe for his father’s funeral.
He will return to SA on Thursday and fly with the 18-man squad for Saturday’s friendly against Nigeria.</blockquote>
Chidzambga’s other assistant, Llyold Mutasa, will assist Zambia in the match against Zambia.

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