Rio Tinto Legend Peter Phiri Dies, Aged 84
Rio Tinto Football Club legend Peter Phiri has died. He was 84.
Phiri died at his daughter Constance Phiri’s house in Westlea, Harare, on Thursday morning.
Family spokesperson, Maggie Phiri, who is also the former midfielder’s daughter, told The Herald that he had a second relapse two months ago having suffered another stroke in 2021. Phiri said:
As a family, we are in great pain following the death of my father Peter Phiri. He suffered a stroke two years ago and he had another relapse early this year.
While his condition had improved a lot after the stroke two years ago, things suddenly changed when he was attacked by a second relapse.
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His condition deteriorated over the past weeks before he died at my sister’s home in Westlea around 7:30 AM on Thursday.
He will be greatly missed as he was a unifier and he loved his family a lot. He groomed his children well.
Although no one among his four children pursued the game he loved so much, I briefly played the game in Kadoma and Harare before calling it a day before I peaked.
He is survived by his wife Esnath, four children Esnath, Constance, Maggie and Raymond as well as four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Peter Phiri as a player – highlights
- He was a key figure of the Rio Tinto class of 1983 that lost the league title to Dynamos only on goal difference.
- He played in that same team with such players as Joseph Zulu, Robert Godoka, Gibson ‘’Geza Muchina’’ Sibanda, Byron ‘’Piri Piri’’ Manuel, Stanley Nyika, David Chisambi, Phineas Mutyavaviri, Wonder Phiri, Raphael Phiri and the 1983 Soccer Star of the Year Ephert Lungu.
- He was part of the St Paul’s Musami team that won the inaugural edition of the Chibuku Trophy after beating Dynamos in the final in the early 1970s.
Peter Phiri as a coach – highlights
- After hanging up his boots, Phiri spent years as an assistant to Rio Tinto coach John Rugg.
- At Rio Tinto, Phiri also helped in grooming talented players such as David ‘’Chikwama’’ Mwanza, John ‘’JP’’ Phiri, Rainos Mapfumo, Barnabas Likombola, Boniface Chiseko, Uyera Mkorongo and Charles ‘’Chola’’ Chirwa, among others.
More: Pindula News
