BY SPORTSCAST WRITER
HARARE – Sinikiwe Mpofu, the former Zimbabwe Women cricket player, has died suddenly on Saturday morning less than a month after the death of her husband Shepherd Makunura, also an ex-cricketer.
Mpofu, who was a key player in Zimbabwe’s pioneering Women’s side, was now the assistant coach of the current team, under head coach Gary Brent.
Her husband Makunura, who died in December aged 46, did not play for the national team but is considered by many to be the best cricketer from the black townships never to be capped by Zimbabwe.
Harare-born Makunura later became a coach of repute, winning four titles in Zimbabwe’s premier domestic competition, the Logan Cup, and at the time of his death was fielding coach of the men’s national side.
The two lovebirds met through the sport and had a celebrity cricketers romantic relationship before getting married over a decade ago.
Bulawayo native Mpofu, who was commonly known by her nickname, Sneeze, endeared herself to many with her infectious personality.
Cricket press corps will remember Mpofu as a friendly and ever-smiling media box scorer who was a joy to work with.
