NGEZI SUSPEND CHIRAGWI

Veronica Gwaze

Zimpapers Sports Hub

NGEZI Platinum Stars have reportedly suspended their coach Takesure Chiragwi, effectively ending the youthful gaffer’s 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season.

This follows Chiragwi’s violent conduct in which he slapped his player — McDonald Makuwe — in public, in a fit of rage that blighted Ngezi’s 1-1 draw with Dynamos in a league match two weeks ago.

Although the Mhondoro miners who have kept a tight lid on the matter, were coy when asked about the latest development, it has emerged that the 2023 Castle Lager Coach of the Year has been slapped with an initial three-match ban by the Ngezi management.

He might just return to the dugout for Ngezi’s last assignment of the season — the clash against MWOS.

During the three-match ban, Chiragwi who was also sent off from the technical bench by the Match-day referee, will not be allowed to conduct training sessions nor preside over the team’s games.

In Chiragwi’s enforced absence, Ngezi are understood to have tasked his assistant Kumbirayi Mutiwekuziwa to take charge of the former champions who are rank outsiders in the current Premiership title marathon.

Ngezi are fourth and eight points behind leaders Scottland ahead of the resumption of the championship race, which enters its home stretch this weekend.

The league programme had been put on hold owing to the FIFA international break and Ngezi will bounce back into action with a date against champions Simba Bhora at Baobab on Saturday.

Chiragwi’s actions sparked outrage from the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe and also attracted public condemnation forcing the gaffer to step down from his role as senior national team assistant coach.

He is due to face a Premier Soccer League Disciplinary Committee hearing on October 28.

Ngezi officials declined to discuss much about Chiragwi’s fate, claiming they were still awaiting guidance from the PSL’s disciplinary committee who could hand the coach their own sanctions.

“We are unable to comment on this matter at this stage as it is pending a PSL disciplinary hearing,” said club communications officer Roberta Katunga.

“We respect the league’s processes and will await the outcome before making any further statements.”

Katunga instead chose to speak about Ngezi’s ambitions to take the title race to the wire and possibly grab their second title. “Our focus remains on maintaining team cohesion and welfare and continuing our strong performance on the field,” added Katunga.

Despite Katunga insisting that Ngezi will only act after the PSL ruling, the scenario on the ground is that Chiragwi has been sent on forced leave and will now miss the championship title-run in.

The source, however, indicated that it was not immediately clarified whether the three-match suspension is to pave the way for the club’s internal investigations on the matter.

Makuwe has, however, since written to the Ngezi management, giving his account of the incident in which he tried to exonerate Chiragwi for his violent conduct.

But the PSL’s disciplinary committee will also take separate action on the club and have since summoned Ngezi to appear on the same day on which they will deliberate on the Chiragwi charge sheet.

With just four games before the curtain comes down on the league fixtures, Ngezi’s clash against Simba Bhora is also seen as a key decider in the championship matrix.

A win for the miners could ensure they remain within touching distance of the chasing pack.

Should Ngezi triumph and add to Simba Bhora’s slump and Scottland go on to win against MWOS at Rufaro on the same day, Mabviravira will effectively put one hand on the championship trophy.

Scottland already have a three-point advantage over Simba Bhora, who are without a win nor a goal in their last four league outings.