The drama surrounding Eddie “Mboma” Nyatanga continued even after his death, culminating in a contentious burial at Glenforest Memorial Park on Father’s Day. Initially, a grave had been prepared for his burial, but due to a heated family dispute, another grave had to be used. This disruption mirrored the turmoil that followed Mboma’s death, highlighting the tensions within his family.
Mboma, the founding father of the Zimbabwe National Soccer Supporters Association, passed away at his Borrowdale Brooke home at the age of 63. He is survived by his two wives, Virginia and Angeline. The initial burial plans, orchestrated by his second wife Angeline, were upended when the body was taken to his first wife’s house in Mount Pleasant. This sparked a series of changes in the funeral arrangements, delaying the burial from 2pm to 3pm.
On Saturday, there was significant drama at Nyaradzo funeral parlour in Harare. The service, scheduled to start at 1pm, was delayed until after 5:30pm due to disputes over where Mboma’s body would be taken post-service—Mount Pleasant or Borrowdale Brooke. The situation escalated with conflicting instructions and emotional confrontations, as mourners and relatives struggled to navigate the discord.
The funeral service saw further tension with two sets of suits prepared for Mboma and conflicting stories about the whereabouts of his body. Mourners, growing frustrated and emotional, confronted the parlour staff. Eventually, the body was confirmed to still be at the parlour, and a viewing was conducted in the evening before the body was taken to Mount Pleasant, amid continued disputes and rising tempers among Mboma’s children and friends.
Despite the preceding drama, scores of football enthusiasts and individuals from various walks of life gathered at Glenforest Memorial Park to honor Mboma. Notable figures like former PSL chairman Twine Phiri and former ZIFA president Vincent Pamire expressed their deep sorrow at his passing. Both highlighted Mboma’s contributions to Zimbabwean football, his unifying presence, and the significant void his death leaves behind.
