Dynamos Coach Embroiled in Juju and Match-Fixing Scandal
HARARE – The world of Zimbabwean football has been rocked by the immediate suspension of Dynamos FC head coach, Genesis Mangombe, amidst a cascade of serious allegations. The charges, which include insubordination, the controversial use of juju, and deeply troubling claims of match-fixing, have cast a long shadow over one of the nation’s most storied clubs. This unfolding drama not only threatens Mangombe’s career but also reignites long-standing debates about superstition and integrity within the sport in Zimbabwe.
Dynamos FC, affectionately known as ‘DeMbare’ by its fervent supporters, issued a suspension letter to Mangombe, meticulously detailing the accusations. The club stated that the decision followed concerns raised by players regarding the coach’s conduct. The gravity of these allegations suggests a profound breakdown of trust and professionalism within the team.
The Alarming Allegations: Juju, Insubordination, and Match-Fixing
The suspension letter paints a stark picture of Mangombe’s alleged transgressions. A key accusation revolves around the use of juju, a practice rooted in traditional African beliefs, often involving charms or rituals believed to bring good fortune or influence events. The letter explicitly states:
“Your suspension is due to the following reasons: a. Insubordination – it is alleged that on Thursday 18 June 2026 at Glamis Arena you were summoned to attend a post-training technical meeting after the team’s training session.”During the said meeting, you were advised of some of the allegations that had been made against you by the goalkeeper, Idrissou Nfor Finiar, who alleged that you are forcing players to bath in juju before games.”Similar allegations had been previously raised against you by Christopher Netty, Dynamos senior players through their captain and Stanley Billiart, who also alleged that if a player refused to bath in juju as per your directive, they would not be allowed to play on matchday.”You allegedly disrespected members of the Dynamos Executive Committee who were talking to you during that post-training technical meeting by challenging them, showing disregard of their authority,”.
These claims suggest a coercive environment where players felt compelled to participate in rituals against their will, with their playing time potentially contingent on compliance. Such practices, if proven, would constitute a severe breach of professional conduct and player welfare.
Beyond the juju allegations, Mangombe faces accusations of insubordination, specifically for challenging the Dynamos Executive Committee. This suggests a broader issue of authority and respect within the club’s hierarchy. However, perhaps the most damaging claims are those related to match-fixing. The club’s letter explicitly mentions Mangombe’s alleged involvement in manipulating game outcomes:
“…match-fixing “where Dynamos FC would either lose games or at least draw matches (avoiding a win result)”.
This allegation strikes at the very heart of sporting integrity, suggesting deliberate attempts to undermine fair play for illicit gains. Furthermore, Mangombe is accused of repeatedly violating Castle Lager Premier Soccer League regulations by ignoring directives from the club’s Chief Security Officer, Fakero, regarding pre-match warm-up procedures. Specifically, he allegedly instructed players to go around the entire pitch during warm-ups despite being told not to. The club also cited his
failure to submit mandatory post-match reports, claiming he had only submitted three reports in twenty games, bringing the club into disrepute.
During his suspension, Mangombe is barred from attending training sessions, matches, and all official club activities. This decisive action underscores the seriousness with which Dynamos FC is treating these allegations.
A History of Superstition: Juju in Zimbabwean Football
The allegations against Mangombe are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader, deeply ingrained culture of superstition within Zimbabwean football. The belief in juju, while often dismissed by outsiders, holds significant sway in many African footballing contexts, including Zimbabwe.
Memory Mucherahowa, a legendary former captain of Dynamos FC, provided a rare and candid glimpse into this world in his autobiography, Soul of Seven Million Dreams. He detailed how the team would consult traditional healers before matches, with the belief in juju often superseding technical strategy.
“Every week before a game the team would consult a traditional healer. I, as the team captain, would be the one to execute whatever the sangoma (juju-man) had said. Whether it actually aided us, I do not know,” Mucherahowa wrote.”The team believed more in juju than players’ ability. We believed in collective use of the juju and consulted one traditional healer as a team. In most cases we had the team’s traditional healers who were on the team’s payroll”.
Mucherahowa even recounted a harrowing incident where a juju-man slit the players’ toes to administer ‘medicine’, forcing them to play through immense pain. This historical context highlights that the current allegations against Mangombe, while shocking, are not entirely unprecedented within the club’s history.
More recently, in 2023, former Dynamos coach Herbert Maruwa faced similar accusations. Reports alleged that Maruwa forced players, including Issah Sadiki, Ely Ilunga, and Taimon Mvula, to use juju for months despite their protests. Maruwa had previously been sacked by Black Rhinos over similar juju-related practices. These recurring incidents suggest a persistent issue within the league, where some coaches continue to rely on supernatural beliefs rather than tactical acumen.
The Shadow of Match-Fixing
While the juju allegations are sensational, the claims of match-fixing are arguably more damaging to the sport’s credibility. Zimbabwean football has a troubled history with match manipulation, most notably the ‘Asiagate’ scandal that rocked the nation over a decade ago, implicating numerous players and officials in fixing matches during tours to Asia.
The allegations against Mangombe suggest that this dark spectre continues to haunt the domestic league. The claim that he orchestrated scenarios where Dynamos would intentionally lose or draw matches points to a sophisticated level of corruption. This is particularly concerning given the recent emergence of other match-fixing scandals in the Premier Soccer League. For instance, a recent clash between FC Platinum and Scottland FC was marred by allegations that five FC Platinum players had sold the match.
These incidents highlight a systemic vulnerability within Zimbabwean football, where financial pressures and a lack of robust oversight can create fertile ground for corruption. The integrity of the league is paramount, and these recurring scandals threaten to erode public trust and deter potential sponsors.
The Road Ahead for Dynamos and Mangombe
The suspension of Genesis Mangombe leaves Dynamos FC in a precarious position. Currently sitting sixth on the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League table, ten points behind leaders Scottland FC, the club must navigate this crisis while attempting to salvage their season. The outcome of the internal investigations will be crucial in determining the club’s future trajectory.
For Mangombe, the situation is dire. Having returned to Dynamos in January after a stint with Triangle United, his career is now hanging in the balance. Interestingly, reports suggest he has already established contact with Triangle United executives, who are searching for a new coach following Lloyd Chitembwe’s resignation. Whether he can secure a new position amidst these serious allegations remains to be seen.