HARARE - Former Zimbabwe football international Adam Ndlovu’s untimely death has proved right the old cliché – God takes the best!

It is tragic that Zimbabwean football has been robbed of a coach with enormous coaching potential. A man who had just led Castle Premiership rookies Chicken Inn to third position in his first season as head coach.

I had the good fortune of interviewing the late Adam along with two of his superstar brothers Peter and Madinda while still on the sports desk. Though Peter and Madinda have interacted with me cordially; their late brother was the most down to earth of the popular trio.

Adam was an epitome of humility and professionalism a man who was always ready to go out of his way to respond to my enquiries with courtesy.

The last time I met him was during the selection of the Soccer Stars finalists at Mandel Training Centre last month.

As had become the norm each time we met, the same question always came up: Why was Chicken Inn famed for their defensive qualities given that he was a former potent striker?

According to Adam, a good defence is a basis upon which a team can win games. He added that since he was once a striker, it made better placed to advise his defenders on how to keep the opposition at bay.

Chicken Inn’s defence, well-marshalled by old horses Hebert Dick and Soccer Stars finalist Felix Chindungwe, conceded only 23 goals in the just-ended season, second only to champions Dynamos and runners-up Highlanders, who both let in only 15 goals.

Adam revealed to me he was looking forward to signing a much longer contract with the Gamecocks so that he could improve the Bulawayo side’s attacking qualities and challenge for honours in the 2013 season.

The Bulawayo side were also happy with the great work Adam had done and were looking forward to tying him down to a longer contract.

But just like that, Adamski is gone and all those dreams have fizzled into nothingness. God indeed takes away the very best in their prime.