Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Former CAPS United and national team defender Charles “Raw Meat” Sibanda passed away in Harare on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 70.
A family spokesperson, Charlton Sibanda, who is also Charles Sibanda’s son, said he passed away around 12 noon at Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Harare.
According to the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), Sibanda began his football journey in 1971 with the Castle Lions Under-16 team, which later became Salisbury Sables.
He rose through the ranks, featuring for several lower-league sides before joining Hippo Valley FC (1976–1978), where he established himself as a dependable defender and also served in an administrative role.
In 1979, Sibanda joined CAPS United, where his tough defending, versatility, and leadership helped the Green Machine win their first top-flight league title.
His generation at CAPS also secured the ZIFA Cup consecutively from 1980 to 1983, a record that remains unmatched in Zimbabwean club football.
Sibanda played alongside club legends such as Stanford “Stix” Mtizwa, Stanley Ndunduma, Shacky Tauro, and Joel Shambo, as well as notable teammates Duncan Ellison, Peter Agostino, Salad Twaliki, William Chikauro, and Friday “Amayenge” Phiri.
His fearless, hard-tackling style earned him the nickname “Raw Meat,” making him a fan favourite nationwide.
Comfortable at left-back, centre-back, or as a defensive midfielder, Sibanda’s tactical intelligence earned him 44 national team caps, playing alongside stars like Sunday Chidzambwa, Shacky Tauro, Joel Shambo, and Graham Boyle.
After retiring as a player, Sibanda moved into coaching and administration. In 1985, he relocated to Bulawayo to take up a senior personnel management role while mentoring young players at Archer Stars and later Eagles FC, where he worked with then-dribbling sensation Boy Ndlovu.
His coaching career also took him to Botswana, with successful stints at Tafic Stars and Gaborone United, before returning to Zimbabwe to guide Arcadia United and Air Zimbabwe Jets, famously signing Benjani Mwaruwari from University of Zimbabwe FC.
The ZIFA Executive Committee, led by President Nqobile Magwizi, has extended heartfelt condolences to the Sibanda family, his former teammates, and the entire football community.
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