Online Reporter
Zimpapers Sports Hub
NATHAN MUTASA has been barred from training by the Dynamos technical team following a confrontation with coaches at The Heart Stadium on Monday, Zimpapers Sports Hub has established.
The midfielder, who joined DeMbare on a six-month loan from Scottland during the mid-season break, has reportedly been told to stay away until technical director Aristica Cioaba returns to the country.
Cioaba is currently away, with assistant coach Lawrence Mawulorm overseeing training in his absence.
Mutasa’s latest problems come only weeks into his Dynamos spell, with some of the disciplinary concerns that followed him from Scottland apparently resurfacing.
Sources allege the midfielder has on occasion missed training or reported late without communicating with the team manager or technical staff.
Tensions came to a head on Monday when Mutasa reportedly clashed with Mawulorm and other members of the technical team during training.
The confrontation forced Mawulorm to cut the session short before he subsequently told Mutasa to stay away from training pending Cioaba’s return.
“It is sad that the young man has a huge ego and a bad attitude. He talks back at authorities and does as he pleases,” said a member of the technical team who requested anonymity.
“He is a good player who has massive potential, but lacks discipline.
“He now has loyalists in the team, and the guys want to defend him in any situation. It is becoming a toxic setting.
“Coaches give the team instructions, but sometimes Mutasa can bluntly respond, saying he is not interested.
“His behaviour is corrosive, and it is spreading in the team.”
Mutasa arrived at Dynamos amid much expectation after struggling to establish himself at Scottland.
DeMbare brought him in to add creativity and attacking quality as they chase a top-four Premiership finish and a fourth successive Chibuku Super Cup title.
Mutasa has largely been used from the bench since joining DeMbare, but his performances had started winning over the club’s supporters.
Questions over his discipline had also followed him during his time at Scottland under Tonderai Ndiraya and later Norman Mapeza. Cioaba has previously spoken publicly about the need for Mutasa to work on his character if he is to fulfil his potential.
Mutasa recently spoke glowingly about his move to Dynamos, saying he was enjoying an environment where he felt appreciated and free to express himself.
“I am simply expressing myself. I have the freedom at Dynamos; hence it becomes easy to play where you are appreciated, valued, and given an opportunity,” Mutasa said.
“I am giving back to the fans who are loving and supporting me.”
But concerns over his conduct are also being felt inside the dressing room.
“He has a foul attitude. He trains properly only when he feels like it,” said a teammate.
“Now there are groups in camp: those who are loyal to him and would clap at everything he does and those who have made clear their displeasure with his attitude.”
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
CAPS United midfielder Tanaka Shandirwa is a major doubt for Saturday’s high-profile Castle Lager Premier Soccer League Harare Derby at Rufaro after he was reported absent without official clearance ahead of the club’s last assignment.
Fears are growing that the Makepekepe midfielder, who has done little to shrug off the “bad boy tag’’ could be unavailable for an extended period following the circulation of social media images appearing to show him with facial injuries reportedly sustained in a suspected off-field altercation.
Shandirwa had been named in the starting line-up for CAPS United’s Munhumutapa Challenge Cup tie against Manica Diamonds, but coach Takesure Chiragwi was forced into last-minute changes after the midfielder failed to report for duty.
Sources close to the player said he was last seen last Friday when CAPS United players received their monthly salaries. However, club chief executive officer Morton Dodzo said Shandirwa had communicated his unavailability shortly before the match.
“We received communication that he was unable to report for duty, but the reasons were not clear,” said Dodzo.
“We are trying to establish exactly what transpired because it is our responsibility to manage the careers of the players in our books and help them reach their full potential.
“Discipline and player welfare remain a priority at CAPS United. We have initiated our internal processes to establish the facts surrounding the matter.
“In the meantime, we urge all stakeholders to avoid speculation because, as far as I know, he has been conducting himself well in recent times.”
Shandirwa had been expected to be one of the main attractions in Saturday’s derby against his former club Dynamos, but his participation now appears increasingly unlikely.
CAPS United president Farai Jere yesterday admitted the club was concerned by the circumstances surrounding the talented midfielder.
“I don’t know exactly what is happening with him,” said Jere.
“I have not yet received official communication from the technical team, but I have seen the pictures that have been circulating.
“We will get to the bottom of the matter. He is our player, and we have a responsibility to support him in every possible way because we believe he is a great talent.”
This is not the first time Shandirwa has found himself at the centre of concerns over his availability.
Earlier this year, coach Chiragwi was compelled to address questions during a post-match press conference amid speculation that the midfielder had been missing training sessions.
Jere revealed that the club has previously made efforts to help the player address challenges affecting his career.
“We have discussed this issue before with coach Chiragwi, who has gone the extra mile, including reaching out to his parents in an attempt to establish the root cause of the problem,” said Jere.
“We hope he can overcome whatever challenges he may be facing because we are genuinely concerned about his future.”
Shandirwa is the latest player who is doubtful for the derby, joining injured goalkeeper Washington Arubi as CAPS United continue to grapple with an injury-crisis that has sidelined several key players.
Despite the setbacks, the Green Machine remain confident ahead of the clash with their traditional rivals.
CAPS United won the first league meeting between the two sides 2-1 before a strong paying crowd of about 25 000, one of the largest attendances recorded in domestic football in recent years.
Another bumper crowd is expected on Saturday, despite the fixture having been brought forward by a day to accommodate Scottland’s CAF Champions League assignment against Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
“We want to rally our supporters to come out in their numbers, just as they did in the first leg,” said Jere.
“Our supporters make a huge difference, and we need them again as we seek to retain the bragging rights.
“The team has been playing well, and both clubs are enjoying good form, which should make for a very exciting contest.
“It is important for supporters to arrive early because this is a high-profile match. We do not want a repeat of the challenges experienced during the first leg when some fans arrived late while others were locked out.
“We have organised entertainment for the day and have applied for legends from both clubs to feature in a curtain-raiser. Hopefully, the request will be approved.”
While neither side is in championship contention, the Harare derby remains one of Zimbabwean football’s biggest fixtures, steeped in tradition and fierce rivalry.
With local bragging rights at stake, CAPS United have once again offered additional incentives to their players.
The Green Machine have again dangled the carrot for their players, who pocketed $1 000 each after their bonuses were doubled for winning the first leg.
“The incentives are always there,” said Jere.
“It is automatic. We have always maintained that winning bonuses double when we face Dynamos or Highlanders because these are among the biggest matches on the calendar and the ones everyone looks forward to.”
