adminTakudzwa Chitsiga Sports Reporter
THE turmoil which had gripped Dynamos this week, with players petitioning the club for their outstanding dues, is likely to ease after the Glamour Boys’ new sponsors, NetOne, processed the January salaries for the players yesterday.
Yesterday, the Glamour Boys refused to train ahead of their Commander ZNA Charities semi-final showdown against CAPS United at Rufaro on Sunday until their grievances have been met.
Club president Kenny Mubaiwa said they were adjusting to a new relationship with their flagship sponsor’s payment schedule.
“The players are owed as we did not have a sponsor save for NetOne, who will launch the sponsorship package this evening (yesterday),’’ said Mubaiwa.
“They will be the ones who will cater for the players’ welfare and I believe everything will come back to normal.
“There is a transition period as we are changing sponsors and delays in payments are bound to happen, but I understand everything is under control.
“As for players refusing to train, I have not heard about that, maybe you can ask (club treasurer Webster) Marechera,” he said.
However, The Herald can reveal that the new sponsors processed the payments for the January salaries yesterday.
“Everything was done today (yesterday), everything had to wait for the official unveiling of the partnership and that is why we had to process the payments today,’’ a NetOne official said.
Dynamos vice-captain Marshall Machazane said the off-the-field drama will not affect their pre-season challenge match against bitter rivals CAPS United.
The bitter rivalry of the two clubs was reflected at last night’s ceremony of the NetOne sponsorship deal, where their bosses took turns to mock each other.
Mubaiwa said CAPS United was a small club supported by a few thousand people, while DeMbare were the real deal with millions of fans in their corner. Machazane, who was standing in for club skipper Ocean Mushure at the official launch of the tournament, which will be running for the sixth year, said he was expecting a tough battle against their perennial rivals.
“I am looking forward to the match against CAPS United and, as is always the norm, no-one likes to lose any derby match. I am ready for the challenge and I believe the players who have come on board have since adjusted,’’ said Machazane.
“Playing against CAPS United always comes with pressure, no matter what you are playing for, and I believe everyone is focusing on the game.
“This is still pre-season and the fitness levels are still a challenge to most players, but Sunday’s game will be taken seriously. We had a game last week, where the coaches tried several combinations and we are getting there as a team.’’
CAPS United will take the trophy if they manage to win it for the third time.
“It will be painful to us the players and the supporters if Makepeke wins the trophy again this year and take it with them to their gallery,’’ said Machazane.
“The players had been working hard although there might be some challenges with the state of the pitch at the venue. We are coming from a long break and players have not yet reached their full fitness levels and what we witnessed at Rufaro last week is not that good.
“The ground is slippery and, unless something is done before match day, it may result in players getting injuries.’’
Machazane signed a one-year contract with Dynamos during the 2016 mid-season transfer window and went on to renew it last year.
The trophy carries with it appearance fees for all the participating four teams – Dynamos, CAPS United, Chicken Inn and Highlanders.
Online Reporter