Controversy Erupts as Coach Jairos Tapera’s Club Players Dominate Warriors COSAFA Squad
Interim Warriors coach Jairos Tapera has drawn ire from soccer fans over the selection of the Warriors squad for the upcoming COSAFA tournament matches.
This comes as the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) announced the squad for the COSAFA Cup, which will be played in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, from June 26 to July 7.
The announcement has sparked outrage on social media, with netizens accusing Jairos Tapera of favouritism.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, ZIFA shared the list of the Warriors squad, showing the names of the footballers who will represent Zimbabwe at COSAFA.
However, social media users couldn’t help but notice that the squad includes five players from Manica Diamonds, the football club coached by Jairos Tapera, and four players from Ngezi Platinum Stars.
Reacting to the post, Zimbabweans expressed frustration with ZIFA and Warriors coach Jairos Tapera.
Social media users questioned why the Warriors squad is filled with players from Manica Diamonds and Ngezi Platinum Stars. Netizens accused coach Jairos Tapera of favouritism and nepotism, noting that one of the players shares his surname. Soccer fans argued that the team should have been called the Manica Diamonds Warriors.
Additionally, netizens questioned why the technical team had so many members.
Here are some of the reactions;
@Masvaya_tinashe;
This is just blatant favouritism towards Manica Diamonds. Aren’t you even ashamed??
@brass263;
This doesn’t look good at all…ZIFA y’all need to get a new coach.How can the squad be ngezi platinum and manica diamonds players
@Zim_Wiseman;
Michael Tapera
Jairos Tapera
