Mercedes Sibanda
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mercedes Nkila Sibanda[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 4 February 1966 | ||
| Place of birth | Bulawayo, Rhodesia | ||
| Date of death | 3 September 2002 (aged 36) | ||
| Place of death | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe | ||
| Position | Right back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1981–1984 | Highlanders | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1985–1999 | Highlanders | ||
| 1999 | Blackpool[2] | ||
| International career | |||
| Zimbabwe U20 | |||
| 1986–1998 | Zimbabwe | 53 | (2) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Mercedes Nkila Sibanda (4 February 1966 – 3 September 2002) was a Zimbabwean footballer who played as a right back for the Zimbabwe national team. He was considered one of the best right backs to ever play for Highlanders and the Zimbabwe national team,[2] and one of the best African right backs during his playing days.[3]
Club career
Sibanda was named the Zimbabwe Soccer Star of the Year in 1987,[4] having been a runner-up previously in 1986.[5] Two years later, he had a brief trial at Randers FC in Denmark, alongside teammate Rahman Gumbo, but were both reportedly dropped for their lack of discipline.[2] In 1991, Sibanda nearly signed for South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, but failed a medical.[2]
Sibanda retired in 1999, but came out of retirement for six months to play for Blackpool.[2]
International career
Sibanda made 53 appearances for the Zimbabwe national team, scoring two goals.[6]
Personal life
During his playing career, Sibanda gained the nickname "Rambo", named after the character played by Sylvester Stallone, because of his muscular calves and biceps.[2]
Sibanda was reported to have been ill in 2000, and died in Bulawayo on 3 September 2002, at the age of 36.[2][7] He is survived by his four children.[1] In 2021, a new tombstone for Sibanda was unveiled.[7]
He was the cousin of former Zimbabwean international footballer Willard Khumalo.[1]
