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Harare Bureau
SOMETHING is just not right within the Dynamos camp as mirrored by their near-lifeless performance in the African Champions League first round, first leg tie against As Vita and yesterday the whole situation came to the fore when players boycotted their training session at Zimphos Grounds.
The Harare giants failed to utilise home advantage when they played to a goalless draw against AS Vita of the Democratic Republic of Congo at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
DeMbare are scheduled to travel to the Kinshasa on Friday for the reverse fixture, where a scoring draw will see them progressing to the next round.
However, the Zimbabwe football kings’ preparations for the match on Sunday were endangered yesterday when the players staged an industrial action.
And away from the sit-in at Zimphos, Dynamos treasurer Webster Marechera was reported to have spent the night in police cells after he was picked up over allegations of misappropriating cash from the gates.
Marechera was arrested on Monday and should be appearing in court today. He is alleged to have underbanked $14,890 bewteen April and November last year.
With their treasurer assisting police with investigations behind the bars, the Dynamos executive were not able to pay the players, leading to the sit-in.
The players who spoke to our Harare Bureau said their executive had been making empty promises over the outstanding dues and the boiling point was reached when they refused to train mid-morning.
“There is a problem within the team at the moment. The main problem is on the issue of money that the players are still owed,” said the sources.
When our Harare Bureau crew arrived at the grounds yesterday, there was no sign of active training and the aide to the Dynamos technical team tried to bar the media from any access to the venue.
The official tried to create a diversion by giving false information that head coach Calistos Pasuwa was away. However, Pasuwa soon appeared but pointed out that he had been instructed not to speak to the media for now.
The sources said the players want to be paid their bonuses from the preliminary round matches of the African Champions League against Mochudi Centre Chiefs of Botswana.
“Players are owed money from the games against Mochudi. They have not been paid over both legs,” said the source.
Dynamos beat Mochudi Centre Chiefs 3-1 at the National Sports Stadium with Washington Pakamisa scoring a brace while Masimba Mambare added another goal. Ronald Chitiyo struck in the reverse fixture in Gaborone as they slugged a 1-1 draw.
It is also alleged that part of the players’ bonuses from the Mbada Diamonds Cup have not been paid.
“Some bonuses from the Mbada Diamonds Cup have not been paid in full and the players are also raising the queries,” said the source.
Dynamos were knocked out in the Mbada Diamonds Cup in the quarter-final while they defied the odds to win the league championship last season.
“Money from the league championship was paid and that matter is settled but there is something from the last match of the season against Black Mambas.
“I think the players were paid just half the amount,” said the source.
The players were demanding to see the executive yesterday and iron out the differences ahead of their trip to the DRC. Dynamos’ principal sponsors BancABC have indicated that they are not able to fund the African safari, although they remain committed to supporting the club in the domestic competition.
“Morale among us the players is low at the moment. Today (yesterday) we had expected the executive to address us but no one came and that’s why we could not train. Maybe the team is not performing well because of low motivation.
“I am not sure if we will train tomorrow but the sticking issue now is the money from the Mochudi games. There are also some players who have not been paid their signing on fees,” said the players on condition of anonymity.
More problems could be brewing for Dynamos as part of their office furniture is set to go under the hammer on Tuesday after it was attached by the Deputy Sheriff on the orders of Motor Action.
Motor Action are seeking $8,000 which they claim is outstanding over William Kupera’s deal. Dynamos secretary Webster Chingezha could not be reached as he was said to be ill while team manager Richard Chihoro professed ignorance over the strike.
“I have no idea what is happening because I never attended the training sessions today. I haven’t even spoken to the head coach today as I was busy with the logistics for travelling to the Democratic Republic Congo,” said Chihoro.
Online Reporter