Image courtesy of: Zimbabwe Investor
Zimbabwe Cricket may prosecute Mangongo for his actions
The game of cricket is usually won through having a cool head and calm demeanour, but Zimbabwe interim coach Stephen Mangongo recently admitted to losing his cool and pushing 22-year-old leg-spinner Natsai Mushangwe after he failed to deliver a message to the batsmen during the national team’s first Twenty20 against Bangladesh.
Zimbabwe’s Herald newspaper reported that Mangongo had told Mushangwe to deliver a message to batsman Hamilton Masakadza, but found him eating some food instead.
“I was angry with him and I pushed him and asked the team manager to order him out of the dressing room and he went back to the hotel,” Mangongo said.
In an attempt to clear the air, Mangongo met with Mushangwe and his mother in Harare after the second Twenty20 against Bangladesh.
“We dealt with the issue to the satisfaction of both sides,” he said. “I have groomed Natsai since his club cricket days at Takashinga and I cannot go out to inflict harm on him now when he has finally made it to the national team. I regret the incident that happened and I have gone out of the way to address it with the family.”
Even though Mushangwe has not submitted a written report about the incident, Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) still asked other members of the team management to provide them with an explanation of what had happened.
Mangongo could face disciplinary action if ZC decide there is enough evidence to prosecute him.