Zimbabwe defender Hadebe suspended after breaching camp rules

Zimbabwe national team centre-back Teenage Hadebe has been suspended from Tuesday’s game against Zambia at the ongoing Mukuru Four Nations Tournament in Botswana after breaking camp rules.

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

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) confirmed the punishment of the 31-year-old defender who plays club football for Major League Soccer outfit FC Cincinnati in the United States.

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

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

What offence did Hadebe commit in Zimbabwe camp?

The actual offence that the former Kaizer Chiefs defender committed remains unknown, but the country’s state-owned Herald newspaper reports that the issue might be linked to the sneaking in of alcohol into the Warriors’ hotel room in Francistown.

The newspaper has based its theory on a video that has gone viral showing the Warrors players listening to music in a room with Hadebe seemingly holding a glass that seems to contain alcohol.

Nonetheless, ZIFA says Hadebe has since apologised for the incident but the suspension still stands.

“The player has since apologised to the team and the association and has accepted the disciplinary outcome. The association and the technical team remain committed to upholding the highest standard of professionalism, discipline and accountability within the national team setup,” adds the statement.

Hadebe was in action when the Warriors defeated Botswana’s Zebras 3-0 on Saturday at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown to book their place in the final.

The Zebras will now face the Flames of Malawi who suffered a 9-8 post-match defeat at the hands of Zambia at the same venue in Saturday’s early kick-off.