Marinica forgives Hadebe: ‘Issue now water under bridge’

Zimbabwe national team coach Mario Marinica has described the suspension of centre-back Teenage Hadebe from the Warriors’ camp while in Botswana as water under the bridge.

The coach was reacting to the issue involving the America-based star who he banished from Tuesday’s Mukuru Four Nations Tournament final match against Zambia after breaking camp rules. The incident happened in Francistown in Botswana over the weekend.

Teenage Hadebe has been suspended for one match after breaching camp code of conduct and will miss the Mukuru 4 Nations final vs Zambia; the player has apologised and accepted the decision. pic.twitter.com/8407fjXEN7

— Zimbabwe Football Association (@online_zifa) March 30, 2026

“Human beings sometimes make mistakes. He made a mistake, lived to that, owned to that and now it is water under the bridge. Now, we have to look to the future,” the Romanian told the press on Tuesday.

How Teenage Hadebe landed himself in hot soup

Earlier on Monday, the Zimbabwe Football Association confirmed the punishment of the 31-year-old defender who plays for Major League Soccer outfit FC Cincinnati.

“The Zimbabwe Football Association confirms that Warriors defender Teenage Hadebe has been found in breach of the team’s camp code of conduct,” read the statement on Monday.

“Following this, a disciplinary decision has been taken in line with team regulations. Teenage Hadebe has been suspended for one match and will, therefore, miss the final of the Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament against Zambia.”

Reports of smuggling alcohol into Zimbabwe room

Reports suggested that the former Kaizer Chiefs defender was suspended after being captured on video with what appears a glass of alcohol while in company of the Warriors’ teammates in a hotel room in Francistown, Botswana.

The player apologised for the incident and accepted the disciplinary outcome.

Hadebe was in action when the Warriors defeated the Zebras 3-0 on Saturday at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown to book their place in the final which he eventually missed due to the suspension.