HARARE – On Wednesday, FC Platinum head coach Norman Mapeza made headlines for all the wrong reasons after verbally attacking a journalist during a post-match interview.
The incident has once again raised serious questions about the seasoned gaffer’s temper and respect for journalists.
The drama began when a journalist asked Mapeza a straightforward question, whether he was still “worried” about his team’s scoring form, an issue Mapeza himself had previously acknowledged during a pre-match interview two weeks ago.
Before the journalist could even finish, Mapeza interjected, denying he had ever used the word “worried” and accusing the reporter of “putting words in my mouth”.
In other news!!! pic.twitter.com/tGcZFCXWlA
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What followed was a finger pointing to the journalist, raised voice, dismissive remarks and calling the journalist “young man” in a professional setting, a clear sign of belittling and intimidating.
This uncalled-for behavior shocked many, especially coming from someone of Mapeza’s stature, a former Warriors coach and a player who once played in Europe for Turkish giants Galatasaray.
Furthermore, the situation escalated when Mapeza abruptly stormed out of the press room, dismissing the remaining journalists and declaring he would not attend future press conferences if the targeted journalist was present.
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident as Mapeza has a troubling history of altercations with the media.
This is evident in a Sunday Mail article from a decade ago, headlined “No Norman, let journalists do their job”.
In the article, Mapeza is painted as a man with “bully tendencies,” who uses aggressive hand gestures and intimidating language to silence uncomfortable questions.
The incident in question involved the late veteran journalist Paul Saul Mundandi, whom Mapeza refused to engage with after the latter report about FC Platinum’s CAF Confederation Cup 5-1 loss to Tanzanian giants Young Africans did not sit well with the former Warriors coach.
The Sunday Mail article heavily criticised Mapeza’s uncalled for actions and disrespecting Mundandi.
“Normara has some bully tendencies and the way he uses hand gestures when talking unsettles many.
“That right hand, with its bracelet, is always raised during conversations and to the uninitiated that can be very, very unsettling.
“At Mandava last Saturday, the FC Platinum coach brought out the bully in him as he engaged in a verbal exchange with veteran journalist Paul Saul Mundandi.
“After watching his side salvage a barely deserved draw against a fired up Dongo Sawmill, the under pressure Mapeza refused to grant a post match interview to journalists in the presence of Mundandi.
“The FC Platinum coach did not take kindly to the journalist’s reportage of his expensively assembled team’s humiliation away to Tanzania’s Young Africans in the caf Confederations Cup two weeks ago,” read some of part of the article.
It continued: “Mapeza accused Mundandi of describing FC Platinum as useless after they got walloped 1-5.
“Now, Mapeza must be reminded that his antics were childish and uncalled for. The only people who are answerable to him are the FC Platinum players, the team’s backroom staff and his “wife”.
“He is not remotely qualified to lecture journalists on what to write and what not to write. Stick to the football business you know best Norman and leave journalism to the journalists.
“Such childish behaviour has no place in modern day society and the sooner you realise it the better.
“Yes, you can bar that female journalist from speaking to your players for reasons you best know but never ever fool yourself into believing you can control what journalists write about FC Platinum.
“Respect the journalists and they will respect you, treat them like crap and they will take you to the cleaners.
“I wonder what your employers said after such negative coverage of their company sponsored outfit.”
Meanwhile, ten years later Mapeza is still disrespecting journalists.
At this point, one has to ask: Are journalists safe around Norman Mapeza?
Too much weed Mapeza!
Imhata chaiyo FIFA disciplinary committee must sanction him.
Arrogance and a big ego can be one way to self destruction ka 🤣
Making something out of nothing. I watched the interview and there wasn't much to it
Mapeza is right Journalists feed their hungry stomachs by humiliating other people publicly this young man got what he deserved
He must ask Moses Chunga how best to deal with pride and tempers …
Give us the question exactly as it was asked and the response thereto. Journalists are not infallible just like all of us. You get as much as you give. If you give bullshit you get bullshit. Karma. Give us a full story so we judge for ourselves. Don't seek to brainwash us. Simple.
Norman is wrong he represents the club and you dont threaten journalists like that up to a point of finger pointing him like that. He's a celebrity and he should act like one. People look up to him and he displays such behaviour on national TV. He definitely has anger issues period
Mapeza mustn't act like a Zanu pf politician who has been asked about corruption and looting. It's not the journalist's that his team is failing to score goals and win. 1 win in 7 matchs is a very poor show especially when one is paid a salary in USD for that matter.
I Heard their conversation Mapeza is right. 🛑
You'd not like it also if someone was to put words in your mouth. That was the reason behind his frustration. Journalists have a mandate to report things based on the truth and not on what they is the truth.
Mapeza’s initial response ("We will work hard") implies confidence in their team's preparation and ability to perform well. When pressed about being worried, the coach's emotional response might suggest:
Frustration at being questioned about their strategy or team's potential and
personal investment in the outcome, making them sensitive to doubts.
The journalist's persistence in asking about worries might stem from:
Genuine interest in the coach's mindset or concerns.
Desire to uncover potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses.
Who's Right?
Both parties have valid points:
The coach is focused on their team's preparation and performance.
The journalist is seeking insight into the coach
The guy once clapped his team captain on the field…The guy is very short tempered..
If anything, some coaches and players have been bullied by journalists. This is why Mourinho once told a journalist, "I will not allow you to come and shit yourself in front of me".
Mapeza was 110% wrong there was no need for such outbust he tainted his CV big time. Ɓeing a coach you are like a public figure who is answerable to the public(supporters)and account for every move the team incurs…
I think Mapeza is just silly. The journalist just repeated what Mapeza himself expressed earlier. The journo didn't have to quote him verbatim. Mapeza said he was concerned, journo chose to say worried which is one in the same and Mapeza goes ballistic. Kasi haana kudzidza 🤔
That's why he failed with the Overseas players ,,he is very backward and outright idiot ,he is fully of temper and l know it all ,Who ever supports this dagga addict is crazy …
Psl must take a stern action against him,I was disgusted when I saw the video
There are other things we don't know as spectators.what if the reporter has offended him before.lets not forget that public figures are human beings http://too.im not in Maoeza's corner but as a season football figure.i guess he had a reason to behave that way.if we had real journalists, they try to find out from him so that we get his side of the story.we can't use the power of pen to destroy a coach,a family man and a citizen
In England the rules are so strict on coaches,it's either a fine or get suspended, putting the game football into disrepute,this is done to protect the integrity of soccer,
That shows he doesn't hv good leadership.
He did nothing wrong. If he answered no, why woukd a journalist enrage him but persistently asking the same question that has been responded to. Some journalists think they know better and often use language that belittles the interviewees !
That shows he doesn't hv good leadership.
Journalists are the problem. They shouldn't put words into the coaches's mouths.
Well done Mapeza some journalists are overzealous