Mathew Masinge
CHAOS AT MANICA DIAMOND
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
THERE is chaos at Manica Diamond after new owners, Africa Minerals Ventures (AMV), requested that the senior team be disbanded following a player industrial action on Thursday over unpaid salaries and allowances spanning more than four months.
Basic understanding of the rules of the game is that a team can only be allowed to register a maximum of five players during the transfer window.
Additions cannot be made during any other period.
As it stands, the Premiership basement outfit are highly unlikely to fulfill their league match against Hardrock at the Green Fuel Arena in Chisumbanje
A letter from the new owners at Manica Diamonds to ZIFA reads;
“We write to formally request the disbandment of the senior team of Manica Diamonds FC following recent developments that have made it impossible for us to continue supporting the current first-team structure.
“As you may be aware, the senior players had initially refused to train due to outstanding salaries and signing-on fees owed by the previous owners.
“However, upon entering into an agreement last week to assume control of the club, we acted immediately and in good faith by paying all players and members of the technical team a salary advance while awaiting the finalisation of the club transfer process.”
Ironically, the latest development comes at a time when the club’s new owners had made significant strides to have Sakubva Stadium homologated.
The new owners added;
“In addition to this financial commitment, we moved swiftly to create a professional and competitive environment for the team by undertaking the following:
“For the first time this season, we placed the players in a full residential camp. Procured a complete new club kit package consisting of: Home strip; Away strip; Alternative strip; (sic) Four training kits; Two sets of travelling attire; Two sets of tracksuits; Purchased gym equipment after assessing the poor physical condition of the squad.
“Secured five club houses for players and coaches to establish a high-performance environment designed to improve discipline, nutrition, recovery, and overall professionalism.
“Invested significant financial resources into the renovation of Sakubva Stadium to meet Premier Soccer League standards and strengthen community support for the team. All the above in 1 week.
“Communicated our commitment, upon finalisation of the sale agreement, to: Introduce a winning bonus of USD150 per match; Gradually settle inherited outstanding obligations at a rate of USD 2,000 per match
“Despite these substantial interventions and commitments, the senior players responded negatively and subsequently refused to train while the transfer process was still being concluded.
“This conduct has demonstrated a breakdown in trust and a lack of professional commitment from the current senior team, making it untenable for us to continue investing significant resources into a structure that is unwilling to cooperate with the new vision for the club.
“In light of these circumstances, we respectfully request that the senior team of Manica Diamonds FC be disbanded, and that approval be granted for the club’s junior team to be promoted and integrated with our existing Division One side to form a new competitive structure that aligns with our long-term development objectives.
“We remain committed to football development and to building a sustainable and professional club model that will positively contribute to Zimbabwean football.”
Online Reporter