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the cash-strapped club’s executive to immediately issue them with clearance letters.
There are fears that Masvingo United might fail to fulfil their next Premiership match against moneybags FC Platinum in Zvishavane this weekend as the Yuna Yuna players have vowed not to participate in the match unless their outstanding salaries and winning bonuses have been paid by the club.
The players allege that they are owed amounts ranging from US$1 800 to US$2 000 each in outstanding salaries and winning bonuses dating back to the beginning of the season.
In a fresh twist to the dispute between the Yuna Yuna players and their executive, the players signed a petition dated 12 July 2011, demanding settlement of all their outstanding salaries or clearance letters from the club to enable them to join new clubs of their choice.
Part of the petition signed by all the 22 senior players reads:
“We the undersigned as Masvingo United players are requesting the club to release our clearance letters immediately as we have been living under difficult conditions due to non payment of our salaries and winning bonuses since January this year. The club (Masvingo United) has continued to renege on what we agreed in our contracts and this situation has left us with no choice except to move to other clubs of our choice.”
The players added that they would not fulfil any Premiership games anymore and would insist on the release on clearance letters unless the club pays them their outstanding salaries and winning bonuses covering the past six months.
Club chairman Levison Nzvura claimed that he had not seen the petition and said his team was going to fulfil their weekend fixture against FC Platinum.
Nzvura said the club had since resolved the dispute with the players over salaries and winning bonuses but refused to shed light on how much his club owed its players.
‘’We have addressed the players at Mucheke this morning (yesterday) and they have resumed training and it is true that we owe them money just like any other club in the country but we are trying our best to clear the arrears.
“But I cannot tell you how much we owe them as it is confidential but it is not true that we have not paid them since January otherwise they would not be playing games,” he said.
Meanwhile Paul Mundandi reports that Luke Masomere has said his heart is still with Masvingo United but he remains unsure about his future at the club.
The nomadic coach had been set for a move to Zimbabwe Saints and has discussed terms with Chauya Chikwata.
“Zimbabwe Saints want my services. I have discussed terms with them and the money they offered me is slightly above what Masvingo are paying me,” said Masomere.
“But what I am not so sure about is whether I will get the money or it will be the same scenario with Masvingo.
“I went for interviews this week and my wife went away to South Africa to register for her PhD. I am waiting for her return so that we can discuss as a family before I put my signature for the Bulawayo side. It is very true that they approached me but my heart is with Masvingo at the moment. I am still employed by Masvingo and will consider either to stay or to move after the FC Platinum game.”
Masomere said he wanted to lead Una Una against FC Platinum.
“I want to surprise them. I have the best artillery and whoever comes to Mandava is going to watch football at its best,” said Masomere. “Fans are going to enjoy the game come Saturday afternoon.”
Masvingo United secretary Tinashe Mapeka confirmed that Masomere was still their coach. “He is still our coach and we have never heard from him that he wants to move,” he said.
The gaffer conducted the morning session yesterday with the assistance of Saul Chaminuka
Masomere won the league title in 2003 with Amazulu.
“I have been waiting for the return leg against FC Platinum. It is a good side and every coach wants to do better when he plays them.
Online Reporter