Byo Chiefs’ Moyo ropes in FUZ in contract battle

Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
BULAWAYO Chiefs attacking midfielder Thabani Moyo has roped in the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe in his battle to get a contract at the championship chasing Zifa Southern Region Division One side.

FUZ president Desmond Maringwa confirmed that they are handling the matter on behalf of the player but said the club is yet to respond after their initial contact. Moyo’s relationship with the club has soured after officials refused to finalise contract negotiations that had been on hold since the beginning of the season.

“Moyo approached us and we wrote to the club but they are yet to respond. We are dealing with the issue and hope to wrap it up soon,” said Maringwa.

Things came to a head when Moyo refused to join the team during preparations for the crucial tie against title rivals Bantu Rovers last month unless he had been offered a contract. Chiefs edged the log leaders 1-0 in the match with the goal coming from Farawo Matare.

In an earlier interview, Moyo revealed he had been patiently waiting for the club to finalise the contract since the season began after reaching a gentleman’s agreement to continue playing for the side while other modalities were being looked into.

He said efforts to bring the management to the table had proved futile hence he could not avail himself for the match. The former Highlanders player said injuries he sustained in May when he was travelling in the team bus had also sidelined him.

He said it was unfortunate he was being given the run around adding that doctors had also not given him the green light to return to the pitch.

Chiefs director Lovemore Sibanda, in an earlier interview had said it was a matter of time before they put pen to paper with Moyo.

He said Moyo had been receiving his dues without fail including winning bonuses even when the player had been sidelined by injury hence there was no reason why they would not honour their promises. Another club source said it was difficult for the club to negotiate with the player since he had stopped coming to training.