Ted Dumitru 76 is no more. He died today at a shopping mall in South Africa after suffering a ‘massive heart attack’ South Africa media are reporting.
The Romanian born collapsed at Eastgate Shopping Mall but medics could not rescuscitate him reports say.
Dumitru arrived first in Africa to coach Zambia.
He worked with major clubs in South Africa and won major silverware after leaving Lusaka.
He also coached Swaziland, Namibia and South Africa national teams.
Dumitru nurtured Collins Mbesuma into the fearsome forward that broke goal scoring records with 35 goals as Kaiser Chiefs swept to the title in 2005.
Dumitru had warned of “rushing” Mbesuma when the Luanshya born was shipped to Portsmouth where the burly lad flopped.
Here is an excerpt on Dumitru from Wikipedia on his Zambia national team sojourn:
“In 1980, Dumitru arrived in Africa, and was appointed as head coach of Zambia, and led the team in the preliminaries of the African Cup of Nations together with Dick Chama, qualifying them to the final tournament in1982, but he did not participate due to his U.S. passport and was replaced by Yugoslav coach Ante Bulešic. Being that the tournament was hosted by Libya, a country where Americans are not welcomed.
During his stint in Zambia, Zambia’s President Kenneth Kaunda once said of him: “He is more than a coach; he is a son of Africa. He is a humanist who puts sports well-being ahead of his profession.”
[Ba Muzo]
Very sad indeed, our former national coach is no more,MHSRIP
Rest in peace Coach.
too bad indeed.
Rip coach
Condolences to Ted Dumitru’s family He was one of the greatest coach to have trainned the KK 11
Faz must take tym to recognise pipo who contributed to the developing of zambian football lyk the way zamfoot does(throwbacks) than appreciating someone when its to late, not by paying them but making them known to us pipo of nowadays e.g solly pandor in never knew him until his death.
(Dumitru) MHSRIIP
Ted Dumitru moved Mbesuma from the left side of the Midfield or Wing to play as a Central Striker. On debut against Mozambique COSAFA game I watched at Independence Stadium he played on the left wing and scored a goal. Even for the U23 he was being played on the left and when the Zambia U23 beat South Africa U23s Chiefs spotted this young and bully looking boy who terrorised the SA defence.
On the “Master” Ted saw this Striker in Mbesuma and made him switch and the rest is history.
RIP