Difficult time for Division One players

Ngqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
WHILE most Castle Lager Premier Soccer League players continue to get salaries despite the game being on hold due to the coronavirus, their Division One counterparts are facing a tough time since most clubs only dole out match allowances in the lower league.

Most of the allowances are linked to performance and with no games being played, footballers in the second tier are not receiving any income. Southern Region Division One, CIWU coach Morris Mukwiti said it was a difficult period for Division One players because of lack of income and most would take time to get back to form as they are unlikely to be adhering to individual training programmes.

He said as CIWU, like most clubs, they had yet to sign contracts with players as registration had not been completed before the lockdown was implemented.

“I think it will be a big challenge when the league resumes for players to get to shape as I doubt most would adhere to individual training programmes because of lack of motivation due to lack of income. Most clubs only pay allowances which are linked to performances during games but with no activity taking place, players are not being paid anything. No one is getting paid except a few well-established clubs. We are starving because when the lockdown commenced most clubs had not registered players, and we’re still in the process of selecting 30 best players and there are no allowances at present and no salaries to some players and coaches.”

Mukwiti, however, said the prime objective of playing in Division One for most players was to market themselves rather than to make an income. He said most players know they will still want to get back into the sport and command first team places after the lockdown hence they need to fight the urge not to keep fit.

“Some players, however, earn a living through football therefore it’s very difficult to indoctrinate them to play for charity. Since most clubs have no sponsorship and are struggling, we educate players to be patient, and use this platform to scale to great heights where there are better salaries and incentives, especially in PSL and abroad,” he said.

Arenel coach, Kudzie Mhandire said most of the players in his squad were new hence they were yet to sign contracts.

“As athletes, we are greatly affected, all our pre-season preparations are in jeopardy. We had done adequate preparations, for 2020 soccer season but unfortunately due to the coronavirus pandemic, everything went down the drain. It is difficult to train indoors due to inadequate facilities and I think we are going to have to start over again with a pre-season before the season commences. However, to maintain fitness and wellness, we are encouraging players to train indoors,” he said.