Zimbabwe’s national football team, have been thrown into disarray ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after assistant coach Takesure Chiragwi resigned following a slapping incident.
The drama unfolded on October 4, during a League clash between Ngezi Platinum Stars, where Chiragwi is head coach, and Dynamos FC at Rufaro Stadium in Harare.
In the 34th minute, after Dynamos equalized 1–1 through an own goal by Brooklyn Katumba, Chiragwi protested the referee’s decision, believing a foul had been overlooked.
Referee Lawrence Zimhondi responded by issuing him a red card for dissent.
As McDonald Makuwe, a Ngezi player, attempted to calm him down, Chiragwi shockingly slapped him across the face — an incident caught on live television and quickly spread across social media platforms.
The match ended in a chaotic 1–1 draw, with Ngezi Platinum Stars also reduced to nine men after two players were sent off.
The incident sparked widespread outrage, with fans, analysts, and the Premier Soccer League (PSL) condemning Chiragwi’s behavior.
The PSL later issued a statement confirming an investigation, while the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) also announced it would review the matter.
Chiragwi publicly apologized the following day, expressing remorse to Makuwe, his club, the PSL, ZIFA, and fans across Zimbabwe.
“My actions were wholly inappropriate, and I take full responsibility,” Chiragwi said in a statement. “I have let down my player, my club, and the national team.”
He confirmed he would step aside from his role with the Warriors to allow the ongoing investigations to proceed without interference.
The timing of his resignation is a major setback for head coach Michael Nees, who must now lead the Warriors into their crucial World Cup qualifiers without his assistant.
Speculation suggests Chiragwi could face a lengthy suspension, with observers citing past PSL disciplinary precedents for violent conduct.
Also read: 2026 FIFA WCQ: Zimbabwe Handed Blow Ahead of Bafana Bafana Clash
The controversy has reignited debates about discipline and professionalism in Zimbabwean football, with growing calls for stricter measures to curb misconduct among coaches and players.
As the Warriors prepare to take on Bafana Bafana, the focus now shifts to whether the team can maintain unity amid the turbulence.
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