Ngezi Star Defends Coach After Sideline Slap Incident

Ngezi Platinum Stars striker McDonald Makuwe has come out in defence of his coach, Takesure Chiragwi, following a widely circulated video showing the coach appearing to slap him during a tense Premier Soccer League match against Dynamos on Saturday.

In the footage, Chiragwi is seen protesting a red card decision when Makuwe tries to calm him down — moments before the coach’s hand makes contact with the player’s face.

The incident, which quickly went viral, drew widespread condemnation and led to Chiragwi issuing a public apology and stepping down from his role as Warriors assistant coach.

Both the Premier Soccer League (PSL) and the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) have since demanded full reports from the club regarding the matter.

However, in a statement, Makuwe dismissed suggestions that the altercation was violent or intentional, saying the contact was accidental.

“Coach had already been shown a red card. During that moment of confusion, he unintentionally raised his hand and made contact with me,” Makuwe explained.
“It did not cause me any physical harm, nor did it strain our relationship.”

The 24-year-old forward added that Chiragwi had already apologised both privately and publicly.

“Coach Chiragwi is more than just a coach to me — he’s a mentor and a father figure. He apologised to me in front of the players and the club chairman, Mr. Musariri,” Makuwe said.

The incident has reignited discussion around discipline and professionalism within Zimbabwe’s domestic league, coming just weeks after the PSL handed Yadah FC board member Spencer Muvadi a one-year suspension for assaulting goalkeeper Godknows Gurure in August.

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