ZIFA Rope Tembo As Assistant Coach Ahead Of Bafana Clash
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has strengthened its technical department by appointing a familiar face in South African football — Kaitano Tembo — as the new national team assistant coach for the foreseeable future.
Tembo, who currently serves as the youth academy coach at Sekhukhune United, has already joined the Zimbabwe national team camp in Durban.
The former Richards Bay mentor replaces Ngezi Platinum Stars head coach Takesure Chiragwi, who had been doubling up as Zimbabwe’s assistant coach.
Chiragwi’s removal follows a disciplinary incident during a league match in Zimbabwe, where he allegedly slapped substitute player Macdonald Makuwe in front of his team.
The altercation reportedly occurred in the 34th minute of Ngezi’s clash against Harare giants Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium, shortly after an own goal from Ngezi’s Brooklyn Katumba leveled the score at 1-1.
Chiragwi was furious, claiming there had been a foul in the build-up to the goal. His protest earned him a red card for unsporting behavior. Moments later, when Makuwe approached the coach to calm him down, a visibly angry Chiragwi allegedly struck the player.
Deeming the incident unacceptable, ZIFA moved swiftly to replace Chiragwi with the experienced Tembo, who brings extensive PSL knowledge to the Warriors’ technical setup.
Zimbabwe arrived in Durban on Sunday ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bafana Bafana at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Friday (18:00).
The Warriors held their first training session on Monday afternoon but were without their captain and Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Marshall Munetsi, who is still on his way from England.
Zimbabwe, who will also face Lesotho at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 14 October, are already out of contention for World Cup qualification. They sit bottom of Group C with four points from eight matches.
Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana find themselves under pressure after FIFA docked them three points for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their March qualifier against Lesotho — a match now awarded 3-0 to Lesotho.
The sanction saw South Africa drop from first place in Group C, which is now led by Benin on superior goal difference. As a result, Bafana Bafana must win both upcoming fixtures — against Zimbabwe and Rwanda — and hope Benin slip up to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
In the African qualifiers, only group winners automatically advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA, while the four best runners-up will progress to a continental playoff round.
