Mighty Warriors player says Tauro gave her HIV

Mighty Warriors player says Tauro gave her HIV

TAURO

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By Oswald Sibanda
Sports Editor

THE sex abuse scandal at the Zimbabwe women's football team deepened Tuesday after a Mighty Warriors player accused head coach Shacky Tauro of infecting her with HIV.

Last month, New Zimbabwe.com reported that the Mighty Warriors had been rocked by a sex abuse scandal involving coaching staff and allegations of drug abuse and rampant lesbianism among players.

Tauro was forced to defend himself on Tuesday after Yesmore Mutero, a former Caps United ladies' team striker accused him of infecting her with the virus that causes Aids.

In sensational claims, Mutero told the Bulawayo Chronicle that she had a relationship with Tauro for almost a year and when it turned sour, he was dropped from the team which is in camp ahead of African Championships, which begin in South Africa next week.

“I went for tests last month after we started having problems. I was diagnosed as positive. I can only blame him because all along I was in good health. We had been going out for a year and I had no health problems before,” said Mutero.

“I was faithful to him and when the relationship ended I got dumped from the team. I was in camp and last Friday Tauro told me to leave because I did not feature in his plans.

“It appears the breakdown of our relationship cost me a place. I took up the issue with the Zimbabwe Women’s Soccer League,” said Mutero.

But Tauro immediately hit back, calling her "mad" and denied ever having a relationship with her. If he had a relationship with one of his players, Tauro admitted, that would be improper.

“There is in-fighting here in Harare," Tauro said referring to the power struggle at Zifa. "It is no longer football as you get to a situation where some individuals want you to take sides with factions. I have nothing to do with her HIV status, as I never had an affair with her. She is mad and is being used by some people out there. This thing of her fighting me on behalf of others has been going on for a long time."

Last month, we reported that Zifa were investigating claims that some players are had fallen pregnant after drug-crazed sex romps during camping, allegedly involving coaching staff.

Zifa denies its investigation is a witch-hunt aimed at tarnishing members of the Mighty Warriors, or part of a power struggle at the association.
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