Dynamos Football Club has suspended head coach Genesis Mangombe with immediate effect pending investigations into a litany of misconduct allegations — including forcing players to bathe in “juju”, withholding kits for rituals, and manipulating match results.
In a notice of suspension, the Harare giants’ board said Mangombe was stood down following “numerous complaints” from players and his conduct at Glamis Arena on 18 June 2026 during a post-training technical meeting with the club’s executive committee.
The club alleges Mangombe was summoned to a meeting on 18 June to answer claims by goalkeeper Idrissou Nfor Finiar that he was forcing players to bathe in juju before games.
According to the notice, similar complaints had previously been raised by Christopher Netty and senior players through the captain and Stanley Billiart, who alleged that players who refused the ritual baths were barred from matchday squads.
Dynamos say Mangombe “disrespected” executive members during the meeting, challenged their authority, and told them he no longer wanted to continue as head coach before walking out. Chief security officer Mr Fakero followed him to his car, where Mangombe repeated that he was no longer interested in the job.
The club says compelling players to use juju breaches Dynamos’ policy and individual employment contracts, and has left “some players now demoralised as they do not hold or share your traditional belief systems.”
Mangombe is accused of taking playing kits — including Finiar’s — and sending them for juju rituals, only returning them just before kick-off. The club says this violates club policy and football rules, as all kits must be kept by the kit manager.
The most serious claims centre on alleged game manipulation. Dynamos say Mangombe is accused of ensuring the team would “either lose the games or at least draw (avoiding a win result)” in four matches.
The matches cited are the 5-0 defeat by Scottland in the Castle Challenge Cup on 1 March 2026 — after he allegedly fielded players out of position “without justifiable reasons” — along with the 1-0 loss to Highlanders in the Charity Shield, the 2-2 draw with Hunters and the 2-1 defeat to CAPS United.
Mangombe allegedly ignored a standing directive from chief security officer Fakero not to let players run around the full pitch during warm-ups.
On 21 June at Barbourfields Stadium, before the Highlanders match, he allegedly instructed players to do so, prompting the match commissioner to intervene.
Dynamos say they expect a fine.
According to the letter, since his appointment, Mangombe has submitted only about three post-match reports in twenty games, despite repeated reminders to the CEO — a breach of standard practice.
The club says the combined allegations, “especially in relation to match-fixing, game manipulation and use of juju, bring the name of Dynamos FC and the sport of football into disrepute.”
During suspension, Mangombe will be relieved of all coaching duties, barred from training, matches and club events, but will continue to receive his full salary and benefits. He is forbidden from joining another club, contacting players or officials about the investigation, or speaking to the media.
“The suspension will pave the way to allow further investigations into the plethora of allegations raised against you without any interference,” the letter reads.
Dynamos say further, more specific charges may follow and have promised an “impartial, transparent and unbiased” investigation. Mangombe has been ordered to cooperate fully.
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