Former and current Warriors stars have paid tribute to Zimbabwe’s founding father and first President Robert Mugabe, who died in Singapore in early hours of Friday at the age of 95.

Mugabe, who mixed and mingled with football players often during his 37-year tenure as head of state, died after a long illness and football stars paid tribute to him.

Legendary former Warriors skipper Peter Ndlovu, who is arguably the greatest Warrior of all time, mourned the death of Mugabe and says he even wanted to give the former president his iconic number 12 shirt.

“We have lost our father, leader, friend, hero and an icon. In simpler terms, we have lost a legend. I would like to appreciate what he (Mugabe) did for me as an individual and the pivotal roles he played in advising me, and my former manager Winston Makamure, throughout my footballing career and life in general,” Ndlovu said as stated by The Herald. 

“As per the promise that I made to the world in one of my interviews, which was to be carried in a BBC documentary in which I said my Number 12 special shirt that I wore with pride and joy, would only part with me going Robert Gabriel Mugabe’s way, I would have loved to present it to him. he added.

Former Soccer Star of the Year Cephas Chimedza, who represented Zimbabwe at AFCON 2006, also also wrote a message for the former head of state. “Rest in Peace Mr President.”

Current Warriors star Khama Billiat, also took to Twitter to pay tribute to Mugabe.

“Rest in Peace to our Former Statesman and Zimbabwe founding father!,” wrote Billiat.