“A Spectacular Own Goal” – Fans Blast Zimbabwe Cricket’s Fiery Statement Targeting David Coltart in Explosive Social Media Backlash

Cricket fans across Zimbabwe and beyond have erupted in outrage after Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) issued a scathing 1,200-word statement condemning former Sports Minister David Coltart, with many describing the board’s response as “embarrassing,” “divisive,” and “a spectacular own goal.” The controversy has exposed deep fractures in Zimbabwe’s cricket community, with supporters, analysts, and former players taking sides in an increasingly heated debate about race, accountability, and the future of the sport The firestorm began on August 12, 2025, when ZC published a statement on their official website and X account titled “ZC Condemns Coltart’s Smear Campaign.” The board accused Coltart of waging a “relentless smear campaign” driven by “racial prejudice” and “personal bitterness,” while claiming he had failed to provide evidence for his criticisms of team selection and administration However, within hours, the statement was met with widespread derision Prominent sports commentator Dhara Blessed Mhlanga set the tone with her viral response: “An opportunity to remain silent was lost This is a sad article by ZC, especially since you claim to reject divisions while your letter reeks of division It’s heartbreaking that our leaders have stooped this low.” The backlash intensified as fans, journalists, and former players weighed in Many questioned why ZC chose to attack Coltart personally rather than address the substantive concerns he and others have raised about Zimbabwe’s declining performances, including a recent humiliating Under-19 tour A recurring theme in the backlash was the perception that ZC was deflecting legitimate criticism X user @Permafisheries captured the mood: *”Instead of addressing why we keep losing, we get this nonsense Our Test team is a joke, our Under-19s got destroyed, but sure—let’s blame Coltart instead of fixing anything.”* Others pointed out the irony of ZC accusing Coltart of “racial prejudice” while invoking Zimbabwe’s colonial cricket history in their statement @MunyaGums responded sarcastically: “‘His rhetoric threatens the unity and progress that ZC has painstakingly built over many years’—what progress Losing by an innings every Test Being the worst Full Member nation Please.” Even some who disagreed with Coltart found ZC’s approach heavy-handed Former Zimbabwe fast bowler @ChataraOfficial (not his real account, but a popular parody) joked: *”When I criticised selectors, I got dropped When Coltart does it, ZC writes a novel Where’s my 1,200-word response?”* While most reactions were critical, a minority defended ZC @Ngoma_Kurira_ argued: “Finally, ZC is standing up to these perpetual critics We lost to better teams—it happens Constant negativity helps no one.” Another user, @PetersonTengen2, took a personal swipe at Coltart: “The man is a relic of Rhodesia Why is he still talking about cricket Go retire quietly.” However, these voices were drowned out by the overwhelming sentiment that ZC had mishandled the situation Many, like @Vroom1112, called for dialogue: “If ZC was smart, they’d invite critics, players, and fans to an open forum This statement just makes them look scared and defensive.” ZC’s statement delved into Zimbabwe’s complex cricket history, referencing Coltart’s past as a Rhodesian police officer and his role in the 2003 World Cup black-armband protest However, this strategy backfired, with critics accusing the board of dredging up old wounds to avoid present-day scrutiny @Sydzah1 tweeted: “So now we’re blaming a protest from 22 years ago for our current failures Pathetic Fix today’s problems instead of crying about the past.” Meanwhile, @Tafara1208 raised fresh concerns about transparency: “Is Hamilton Masakadza still Director of Cricket Your website says yes, but nobody has seen him in months Explain that instead of writing essays about Coltart.” The fallout shows no signs of dying down, with calls growing for ZC leadership to engage directly with critics rather than lash out As @KingJayZim bluntly put it: “Unbelievable take Reflect, don’t deflect!” With Zimbabwe cricket already struggling on the field, this public relations disaster has only deepened the crisis The board now faces a stark choice: double down on its confrontational approach or seek to rebuild trust with a disillusioned fanbase Follow Us on Google News for Immediate Updates Originally published on iHarare All Zim News is a central hub for all things Zimbabwean, curating news from across the country so no story is missed Alongside aggregation, our team of nationwide reporters provides real-time, on-the-ground coverage Stay informed and connected — reach us at admin@allzimnews.com . Source: Iharare