admin
Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
DYNAMOS players will fulfil their Chibuku Super Cup first round tie against Black Rhinos at Gwanzura tomorrow, for the sake of their fans and sponsors, despite a deadlock in the negotiations with their executive to end a week-long strike.
Since Monday, the players have been refusing to train, insisting that the executive should come and address them over their concerns and a planned session at Gwanzura yesterday failed to get underway.
Instead, the players took the chance to hand over a petition to the club’s executive, highlighting their reasons for boycotting training.
The players said they resorted to the petition for fear of possible victimisation from their executive.
However, the players resolved that they will play in the cup match against Black Rhinos.
Dynamos head coach Callisto Pasuwa had to cut short his Caf A Licence course at Zifa Village to attend to the problems rocking his ship.
“It’s a sad story to the fans, but the problems should be solved amicably. Even up to now, no one is training,” said Pasuwa.
The players, the executive and the technical team were locked in a meeting that lasted more than two hours at Gwanzura but there was still no end in sight to the problems at hand.
“We will definitely go ahead and play that game,” said Pasuwa as he went into the meeting.
The Glamour Boys team manager, Richard Chihoro, could not be reached to shed light on what became of their meeting with the players earlier in the day.
But sources revealed that there was a deadlock.
Club chairman Kenny Mubaiwa and secretary Webster Chikengezha met the players and the technical team.
“As Dynamos, we met the executive and failed to reach an agreement over outstanding issues. So as players we have resolved to play under protest for the sake of our fans, the sponsors and all stakeholders.
“We do not want to bring the game of football into disrepute. Football has to be the winner,” read part of the petition from the players.
The players said the boycotting of training was not an abrupt decision they had made, but it had been boiling over a period of time.
In March this year, Dynamos players also boycotted training in the build-up to their African Champions League game against AS Vita in DRC.
“We are not happy with the scenario being portrayed that we are striking over bonuses for a draw. We have far bigger issues than that US$20.
“Some players are owed signing-on fees while others are not and it appears designed to divide us,” said the players.
The players said they are still owed bonuses from their match against Black Mambas last year while the club was not doing enough to take care of those on the injury list.
“As we speak right now, we are talking with one voice and we do not want anyone to be victimised after fighting for our rights.
“We believe the demands are genuine and we understand that the economy is tight but at the same time we think communication in the system should help us.
“As players, we do not run the club but we need to understand when our monies will be paid and if there is a plan.
“It’s not like we are mercenaries who are demanding money, but we have been having meetings with Chikengezha and agreeing on issues but the resolutions will never be implemented or will be changed by the executive.
“So our fans should understand that we did not just wake up and stopped training but we had been seeking dialogue for the past three to four months.
“Players are owed money from the match against Black Mambas and Tripple B last year and now the executive want to let us go without that money at the end of our contracts,” said the players.
The DeMbare players were also quick to warn Black Rhinos that they will vent all their frustration on Chipembere.
“When we wear the blue shirt on Sunday, we want to win at all costs. We have not been training as a team, as is the norm, but we have been working out as individuals and we want to win that game,” said the players.
Black Rhinos coach Jostein Mathuthu said he was not reading much into the strike at Dynamos and said the Harare giants could even be more lethal as they try to make up for lost time.
“We drew 0-0 with Dynamos in the last game at Rimuka and we enjoyed home advantage but now we are away and it’s a Cup game.
“As Black Rhinos we would want to do well in the Cup and also move up on the league table,” said Mathuthu.
A former ZPC Kariba and CAPS United coach, Mathuthu said his troops were eager to prove a point that they can stay in the Premiership.
“Taking from history, Dynamos are very lethal when they are coming from squabbles like these. So these problems are nothing new to them and I think they make them stronger at times.
“I am not sure how that happens but they tend to do well, although we also want win,” said Mathuthu.
Since replacing Arthur Tutani, Mathuthu is yet to concede a goal in four matches and has built his squad around Wonder Kapinda, Brighton Muzondiwa, skipper Wilson Chakanyuka, Nesbert Padzandora and Stephen Matsangaise. I think we have a great team but the guys have been underrated,” he said.
Chibuku Super Cup
Today: ZPC Kariba v Harare City (Rimuka), FC Platinum v Bantu Rovers (Mandava), CAPS United v Chapungu (Rufaro)
Tomorrow: Dynamos v Black Rhinos (Gwanzura), Highlanders v Shabanie (Ascot), Hwange v Triangle (Colliery), Buffaloes v Chiredzi (Sakubva), How Mine v Chicken Inn (Mandava)
Online Reporter