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Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
WARRIORS skipper Willard Katsande has called for unity of purpose, as the senior national team prepares for a final push in their quest for a place in the 2017 Nations Cup finals, saying ZIFA partner Wicknell Chivayo is playing a big part in that adventure.
The Kaizer Chiefs midfielder’s appeal came amid reports at the weekend that coach Callisto Pasuwa hasn’t been paid his salary in the past two months and this was creating discontent in the Warriors’ camp.
Pasuwa’s manager, Gibson Mahachi, also told The Herald last night that, as far as they were concerned, their relationship with ZIFA was on solid foundation and, if there were any issues that needed to be thrashed out in the future, the two parties would engage each other in a professional manner.
“We haven’t complained about anything, including reports that the coach hasn’t been paid, and if that was the case, we would be the ones to raise the issue and through the official channels of communication,” Mahachi said.
“We don’t want to be seen to be fighting with our employers in the media and we don’t know where this is coming from but we know that it has the power to destabilise the team and our campaign which has gone well so far.
“We have a professional relationship with ZIFA and our intentions are on keeping it that way and, as far as we are concerned, this week should have been about celebrating that superb win over Swaziland.
“The coach remains focused on his job.”
ZIFA partner Wicknell Chivayo committed to paying Pasuwa his monthly salary and is expected today to speak on the issue at a media briefing following reports that emerged at the weekend that the coach has allegedly not been paid his salary for the last two months.
The Association are also expected to address the issue today.
Katsande, speaking from his base in Johannesburg yesterday, insisted that neither the players nor Pasuwa and his technical crew had issues with Chivayo and ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa over their welfare.
Chiyangwa is in South Africa and yesterday he met Mamelodi Sundowns’ owner, Patrice Motsepe, to discuss a number of issues, including football and how the two parties can co-operate.
Motsepe, one of the wealthiest men in Africa, bankrolls Mamelodi Sundowns and also sponsors football in South Africa through the Motsepe Foundation.
Katsande said Chivayo’s decision to come on board as a partner to Chiyangwa had brought about a fresh breath of air into the country’s flagship team with youthful businessman having opted to bankroll Pasuwa’s welfare and also gave the senior side bonuses and incentives including cell phones.
“We should be enjoying the three important points that we picked against Swaziland, which have helped us move closer to qualification for Gabon, and not look for things that can divide instead of uniting us,” said Katsande.
“It is very disturbing to hear claims that there is disharmony in our camp when we have been receiving bonuses and air tickets are being bought for us to travel for national duty.
“Even our coach is happy with the sponsorship package he has received and we are happy for him to note that, unlike in the past, our national coach has a sponsorship package that helps him to focus on his job.
“Wicknell is one out of a million people who has decided to use his resources and throw his weight behind us and we cannot afford to lose him right now given that he is the only sponsor we have.
“He genuinely loves his Warriors and his country and he is willing to go out of his way to make all the players and their coaches happy and to suggest that we are not happy or there is disharmony is not true.
“We just want to appeal to our president and the sponsor to remain focused and work, as they have been doing in the past few months, to ensure that we remain on track because we can qualify for Afcon this time but that can only happen if we are united and not divided.
“We have two more important games to play in order to qualify and we are more that determined to be among the finalists at the next Nations Cup.
“I said it last week and I will say it again that we are deeply humbled by this gesture (to sponsor the Warriors) and we just want to thank our sponsor for what he has done for us and all that he is promising to do for us.
“We also want to make history and qualify for the Nations Cup and make our country proud and we will continue to work hard to achieve this.”
Chivayo was among the guests in the National Sports Stadium’s VVIP tribune on Easter Monday as the Warriors finally found their rhythm with a merciless 4-0 demolition of Sihlangu that propelled them to the top of the Group L standings and literally saw them edge closer to a dream place at the continental soccer showcase next year.
He was given a standing ovation by a section of the crowd, as he left the stadium in the company of Chiyangwa, after the victory over Swaziland.
Just like many Zimbabweans, the massive victory left Chivayo over the moon and he once again underlined his commitment to helping the Warriors achieve their dream when he helped pay for their appearance fees and rolled out a tantalising $250 000 carrot which is now for the taking by Pasuwa and his men should they retain top spot in Group L and qualify for Gabon.
The ZIFA benefactor also weighed in with a mobile gadget for each of the 28-man squad including the technical crew who were given Samsung Galaxy S7 phones worth $1 100 each.
Chivayo has already secured top-of-the-range vehicles for Pasuwa and his Mighty Warriors counterpart Shadreck Mlauzi for use during the discharge of their national duties.
Online Reporter