PLATINUM Stars coach Benjamin Moyo died after drowning in a swimming pool on Friday morning, just hours before a derby match with Shabanie Mine, Premier Soccer League chairman Twine Phiri confirmed.

The former Highlanders and AmaZulu coach, one of the best qualified in Zimbabwe, died just after 5.30AM local time at their training camp at a lodge in Shurugwi.

He was found floating in the swimming pool with his clothes on, a player from the Masvingo-based club told New Zimbabwe.com by telephone from Bulawayo.

“Earlier, he had gone round the rooms of a couple of players playfully sprinkling water on them and making bizarre references to water. He then said he was going for a jog, which was a normal routine for him,” the player, who declined to be named, added.

Minutes later, kitchen staff at the lodge heard screams coming from the swimming pool area and rushed there to find the coach's lifeless body. He was pulled from the water and rushed to Shurugwi Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

"He was an able swimmer, so everyone is a bit shocked that when his life was in danger, he was unable to swim to safety," the player added.

Platinum Stars, bankrolled by the Mimosa Platinum mine, are among the early favourites to win the Premier League after splashing on new players in their first season in the top flight.

But Moyo's appointment, and subsequent wholesale changes to the playing personnel and coaching staff to match the ambitions of the club, had not endeared him to locals.

Stars were aiming to beat Shabanie and move to within a point of joint leaders Blue Ribbon and Chicken Inn on 10 points.

Moyo was briefly in charge of Swaziland club Eleven Men in Flight last year after gaining his UEFA ‘A’ Licence for coaching in England.

By Special correspondent