HARARE – CAPS United defender Godknows Murwira has been relieved of his captaincy, creating a ripple effect within the club and highlighting a conflict between club and national team loyalties.
The decision, made by coach Lloyd Chitembwe, follows Murwira’s controversial decision to join the Warriors for AFCON qualifiers against Namibia, missing the crucial Harare derby against Dynamos.
Murwira’s absence, along with that of Dynamos defender Emmanuel Jalai, who also travelled to South Africa for the Warriors’ camp on the same day as the derby, angered Chitembwe. The coach publicly criticised national team coach Michael Nees, calling him a “clown” for taking Murwira 24 hours before the official start of the FIFA international break.
Chitembwe’s response to Murwira’s actions has been decisive. He replaced Murwira as captain with William Manondo, the club’s top goalscorer. Chitembwe explained his decision, stating:
“We are happy with what he (Murwira) did during his term in office and now the responsibility lies with William (Manondo). I’m happy with what Goddy (Murwira) did during his time and we are happy with the way he executed his duties. It’s something that we discussed between him and myself. He is one player I really want to protect and one the reasons to protect him is making sure we take some responsibilities so that he focuses mainly on playing because he is a player we need so much, so desperately.”
The demotion raises questions about Murwira’s future at CAPS United. With only four games remaining in the league season, speculation is rife regarding his potential departure from the club.
A source within CAPS United confirmed these concerns, stating, “Murwira is not in good books with the coach after that incident. Remember he prioritised the national team over the club. According to laws the FIFA international break had not yet started, meaning he had to serve the club, something he was reminded by the coach before making his move. As it stands, he is not in good books with the coach and most likely he is going at the end of the season.”
Murwira’s situation is particularly noteworthy given his impressive performance this season. Since joining CAPS United from Dynamos at the beginning of 2023, he has been a key player, consistently delivering strong performances. The 31-year-old is considered an integral part of the league and is a strong contender for a place in the Soccer Stars of the Year calendar.
The conflict between Chitembwe and Nees adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Chitembwe’s criticism of Nees, labelling him a “clown,” highlights the tension between club and national team management, and the competing demands placed on players. The incident raises broader questions about the balance between club and international commitments, and the potential for conflicts of interest in the scheduling of matches.
