Chapungu team manager Remigio Vurayayi slapped a female fan during their 1-0 victory over Shabanie Mine at Ascot Stadium on Sunday.

The incident happened when the hosts were in the lead, and the Chapungu technical team had instructed the ball-boys to perform delay tactics by hiding the balls. The lady, Tendai Rusere, who was sitting in the terraces exposed what was going on, and held on to the ball wanting to throw it to Shabanie Mine side.

An altercation followed with Rusere arguing that as fans they had paid to watch the match not to see the ball-boys hiding the balls. Temperamental Vurayayi rose from the technical bench and scaled the perimeter fence to assault the lady who is also a marshal of a rival club, Nichrut.

Moments earlier Vurayayi had shoved Shabanie Mine assistant coach Chris Moyo who had tried to get the balls which were hidden.

The incident happened in full glare of fourth match official Thabani Bamala.

Rusere made her report of an assault to police details at the stadium but could not find joy as the case was blocked by some Chapungu officials. She went on to report the matter at Mtapa Police Station.

Meanwhile, the Airforce side moved out of the drop zone and are now in 12th place.

Coach Rodwell Dhlakama remained grounded after the victory, saying they are not yet safe from relegation.

“We do not need to be carried away by this win if we lose our next game and other teams in the relegation zone win we might go down.

“We need to continue working hard, we have difficult games coming, and we just need to remain focused,” Dhlakama said.