Football Analysts Mourn the Passing of Brian Banda

1 July 2025

By Andile Vundla

The local football community is in mourning following the sudden and tragic death of former Highlanders and FC Platinum midfielder, Brian “BB” Banda, who passed away in a car accident on Sunday.

The crash occurred along the Zvishavane-Bulawayo Road and claimed three lives in total, including the 29-year-old Banda.

Banda, known for his midfield mastery and leadership on and off the pitch, was a fan favourite whose career inspired many young players across the country.

Football analyst Abraham Mubaiwa spoke to SkyzMetro FM and described Banda as more than just a talented player, highlighting his humility, leadership qualities, and the kindness he extended to teammates, fans, and the wider community.

“He was more than just a talented player, His leadership qualities and good personality extended beyond the football pitch,” Mubaiwa stated. “Brian was humble, kind, and always uplifted those around him teammates, fans, and the wider community, its difficult to accept this situation.”

Another analyst, Adonis Madimula, also paid tribute, saying Banda was among the finest midfielders of his generation, adding that such talent is rare and hard to replace in the local game.

“Such talent is hard to come by. He had an incredible football brain and brought a sense of calm and class to the midfield and they do not make them like that anymore. His passing is a huge loss to the game,” said Madimula.

Banda played a vital role in both Highlanders and FC Platinum’s successes in recent seasons and remained an influential figure in Zimbabwean football until his untimely death.