THOUSANDS of people joined a farewell procession for the late Adam Ndlovu in Bulawayo on Friday ahead of his Saturday burial.

THE city came to a standstill with soccer administrators, current and former players, politicians and ordinary individuals marching to honour the former Highlanders and Zimbabwe national team striker.

A parade was held from Nyaradzo Funeral palour to Luveve Stadium, home ground for Chicken Inn Football Club, which Ndlovu coached at the time of his death.

Speakers who addressed gatherers at the stadium described him as a legend who leaves indelible footprints in the country’s history of football.

Ndlovu’s burial is set for Saturday morning at Lady Stanley Cemetery in Bulawayo.

“I would like to thank the city for honouring this boy as a hero,” said Khawudeni Ncube, speaking for the Ndlovu family.

“He will be buried at a place reserved for honourable people, people who contributed to the growth and development of the city.”

Premier Soccer League (PSL) chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele said: “Our hearts are heavy with sadness and words alone cannot express the pain, anguish and shock brought about by this loss.’’

Ndlovu died in a car accident that injured his young brother, Peter, and killed a female passenger, Nomqhele Tshili on Sunday along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway.

It has since been established that Tshili, 22, was Peter's girlfriend. She was buried on Thursday at her rural homestead in Esiphezini, just outside Bulawayo.

Peter is recovering at Mater Dei hospital.

Late Friday, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai visited the Ndlovu family to console them. He was accompanied by Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo and Water Minister Sam Sipepa Nkomo.

But the MDC-T politicians were also plunged into mourning by the sudden passing of Nketa MP Seiso Moyo who died of heart attack in Harare.