Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
HOW Mine have reportedly resorted to a “divide and rule” tactic in a desperate effort to assemble a competitive team for their Castle Lager Premiership match against Bantu Rovers at Barbourfields Stadium tomorrow.
The gold miners were embarrassed 0-6 by Dynamos on Thursday, a result that left coach Kelvin Kaindu feeling “humiliated” after being forced to field fringe players as regular first team players were on strike over pay issues.
How Mine fielded only three regular first team players Mukundika Sakala, Marvelous Mukumba and Toto Banda on Thursday.
Goalkeepers Donovan Bernard and Munyaradzi Diya, left-back Brian Mbiriri, central defender Kudzai Chideu, utility players Tsepo Ranthokoane, Milton Ncube and Frank Makarati, midfielders Timothy January, Pasca Manhanga, Peter Moyo and Adolf Muganyi as well as striker Kuda Musharu all boycotted the match.
Club sources claimed the executive had agreed to pay a few players in a bid to assemble a strong team to face relegation threatened Rovers tomorrow.
However, the players said the divide and rule tactic would not work as they were united in availing their services until they are paid all their dues.
“The strike continues until the club decides to pay us, we’re not going to work. We can’t be sweating on empty stomachs. We want to play because that is what we are employed to do and everyone knows that we’ve sacrificed a lot for all those months that they have failed to pay us. We know that they’ve paid some of the guys to try and divide us,” said one player.
How Mine officials have also reportedly embarked on a “witch-hunting” exercise, with “friends” of the executive assigned to find the names of players that leaked strike details to the media.
The sources also revealed that the miners are exploring ways of activating a certain clause to fire the striking players.
“They have sent some of former footballers (names withheld), who are friends to the executive, to find out which players are leading the strike and who has been leaking stories. We’re also reliably informed that they want to fire the players on a technicality that they were absent from work for five days,” said the source.
How Mine’s players are owed three months’ salaries, signing-on fees and bonuses.
Since the beginning of the season, players are yet to get a penny for the 34 points amassed from nine wins and seven draws.
How Mine bonuses are pegged at $300 for a win and $150 for a draw, meaning players that made up those match day squads are each owed $3 750 in bonuses.
In total, the players’ bonuses are $67 500, excluding allowances for the technical team.
Contacted for comment yesterday morning, How Mine chairman Paul MacAndrew asked for questions in writing and his response in the evening was: “Sir, your questions have been referred to our PR department.” — @ZililoR
Online Reporter