Zimbabwe coach to miss Bafana Bafana match after slapping player

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Zimbabwe coach to miss Bafana Bafana match after slapping player
Zimbabwe assistant coach Takesure Chiragwi (left) and his boss Michael Nees. Photo - ZIFA

‎Bafana Bafana have a crucial World Cup qualifier against Zimbabwe on Friday but the Warriors will be without one of their coaches during the match.

‎South Africa face Zimbabwe at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Friday and must win the match to keep alive their hopes of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

‎However, their opponents have seen their preparations for the match rocked by a bizarre off-the-pitch incident after a key member of their technical bench was forced to withdraw from national team duties for disciplinary reasons.

‎Takesure Chiragwi, who is the assistant coach to head coach Michael Nees, has stepped down from the national team after he slapped a player at his club Ngezi Platinum Stars which features in the Zimbabwe league.

Coach pens apology after slapping shame

‎Chiragwi is the head coach of Platinum Stars and at the weekend, he slapped his player McDonald Makuwe moments after Dynamos equalised after 34 minutes through an own goal, scored by Brooklyn Katumba on Saturday.

‎The coach, who has since apologised, had initially blamed his actions on emotions but has accepted responsibility and termed the incident “unacceptable” while saying that it tainted the integrity of the sport.

‎”First and foremost, I extend my deepest apologies to McDonald Makuwe, the player involved. I am deeply sorry for my behaviour towards you,” Chiragwi said in his statement addressed to the player, Zimbabwe Football Association and his club.

‎”Regardless of the circumstances or emotions of the moment, there is no justification for my actions, and I take full responsibility for the hurt and embarrassment they may have caused you.

Why has Chiragwi withdrawn from national team?

‎“I also wish to apologise to Ngezi Platinum Stars Football Club, the Premier Soccer League and its partners, as well as the Zimbabwe Football Association, where I have had the privilege of serving as Assistant Coach of the national team, the Warriors. My conduct fell far short of the standards expected of me, and I acknowledge the damage it has caused to the reputation of the game, my club, and our national institutions,” he added.

‎Chiragwi then confirmed his withdrawal from national team duties pending disciplinary proceedings into his conduct.

‎“In the spirit of transparency and respect for due process, I have stepped aside from my national team duties for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers,” he added.

‎”This is to allow all disciplinary procedures to take place without prejudice. I will cooperate fully with the investigations by the PSL and any other relevant authorities. I will accept whatever outcome or sanction is deemed appropriate.”

‎Bafana Bafana beat Zimbabwe 3-1 in the corresponding fixture in June 2024 and will need a repeat performance on Friday.

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<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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