Referee Quedisani Dirwai Handed Six-Match Ban By ZIFA Over Mistakes In FC Platinum vs. Dynamos Fixture

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has confirmed that Premier Soccer League referee Quedisani Dirwai is currently serving a six-match suspension following concerns over his officiating during a top-flight league clash last month.

In a statement released on 24 July 2025, ZIFA said Dirwai’s performance during the FC Platinum vs Dynamos match at Mandava Stadium on 22 June 2025 fell below the standards expected at Premier League level.

The association said the decision was made after a formal review of the fixture, which included an assessment of the Match Commissioner’s report. It was concluded that the referee’s handling of the game did not meet the professional and technical benchmarks required.

Dirwai’s suspension spans Matchdays 18 to 23 of the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season and was implemented under Paragraph 21 of the ZIFA Referees Code of Conduct.

The match between FC Platinum and Dynamos was abandoned late in the second half following a controversial penalty decision that ignited tempers and led to a dramatic walk-off by the Dynamos squad.

The match, held at Mandava Stadium, was evenly poised at 1–1 when referee Dirwai awarded a late penalty to FC Platinum.

Dynamos had taken an early lead through Vusa Ngwenya in the 3rd minute, while Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya equalised for Platinum in the 48th minute.

However, the game spiraled into chaos when Dirwai adjudged Dynamos defender Emmanuel Jalai to have fouled an FC Platinum attacker inside the box.

Dynamos head coach Saul Chaminuka vehemently protested the decision, insisting Jalai was the one fouled. In a bold move, Chaminuka instructed his players to leave the pitch.

Despite efforts by Dynamos chairman Moses Maunganidze to persuade the team to resume play, the players refused, forcing the match to be abandoned.

On Tuesday, Dynamos head coach Saul Chaminuka suggested that referees might be conspiring to push DeMbare out of the Premier Soccer League, following a string of decisions he believes have gone against his team.