Zimbabwean football is mourning the loss of respected coach Lazarus Magaya, the former Herentals Queens FC gaffer who helped guide the team to its historic first appearance in the CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers in 2024.
Magaya died on Thursday in Masvingo after a short illness. He will be laid to rest on Saturday in Mabvuku, Harare, according to information from colleagues and members of the football fraternity.
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A quiet but highly respected figure in the women’s game, Magaya earned admiration across the local football landscape for his dedication to developing young talent and building competitive teams. Many players and administrators described him as a calm, reserved professional whose passion for the sport spoke louder than his words.
One of the defining moments of his coaching career came in 2024 when he led Herentals Queens, popularly known as Vagoni Vebasa, 0to their maiden appearance in the COSAFA qualifiers for the CAF Women’s Champions League. The tournament was held in Blantyre, Malawi, with matches played at the Mpira Stadium.
Under Magaya’s leadership, Herentals Queens impressed in their debut campaign and reached the semifinals, marking a major milestone for the club and Zimbabwean women’s football. The team featured several standout players during that historic run, including star midfielder Polite Mabika.
Magaya’s coaching journey also extended beyond Zimbabwe. In recent years, he had been working in Zambia, continuing his mission of developing football talent in the region.
Clubs that worked with him paid glowing tributes following news of his passing. Ghetto Pirates Football Club described him as a mentor who dedicated his life to nurturing young players and strengthening community football structures.
Another club, ZISD FC, remembered him as a passionate leader who guided the team during the 2024/25 season, steering the side to an impressive eighth-place finish on the league log and making it the best performing privately owned team that campaign. The club said in a statement:
“His leadership, passion and belief in the club helped lay an important foundation in our journey.”
As tributes continue to pour in, many within Zimbabwe’s football fraternity are remembering Magaya not only for his tactical influence on the pitch but also for the lives he touched off it.
He leaves behind a legacy built on discipline, mentorship and an unwavering love for the beautiful game.
Rest in peace, Coach Magaya.
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