adminNgqwele Dube, Sports Correspondent
BULAWAYO Chiefs FC attacking midfielder Thabani Moyo’s relationship with the club has soured as officials are reportedly refusing to finalise a contract they have been negotiating since the beginning of the season.
Things came to a head when Moyo refused to join the team during preparations for the crucial tie against title rivals Bantu Rovers a fortnight ago unless he had been offered a contract. Chiefs edged the log leaders 1-0 in the match with the goal coming from Farawo Matare.
Moyo revealed he had been patiently waiting for the Southern Region Division One club to engage him on the contract since the season began after reaching a gentleman’s agreement to continue playing for the side while other modalities were being looked into. He said efforts to bring the management to the table had proved futile hence he could not avail himself for the match.
The former Highlanders player said injuries he sustained in May when he was travelling in the team bus had also sidelined him.
He said it was unfortunate he was being given the run around adding doctors had also not given him the green light to return to the pitch.
“I wanted to engage the club management but despite my requests I have been rebuffed. I was playing for Chiefs last year and did not think much about putting pen to paper as I thought it would be only a matter of time before we finalise talks but I was also worried the year would come to an end without a contract being signed,” said Moyo.
However, Chiefs director Lovemore Sibanda said Moyo should not panic and simply follow club procedure for the issue to be finalised. He said they had been paying Moyo, along with other players who had suffered injuries during the ill-fated accident, winning bonuses and their salaries hence there was no reason why they would not honour their promises.
Moyo conceded he had been receiving the payments although he stopped getting the cash after refusing to go into camp for the crucial tie against Bantu. He said he had been forced to engage the Footballers Union of Zimbabwe to assist him secure the contract.
“It’s unfortunate that after FUZ engaged them they called me to meet the manager, Farai Sibanda but I was received by coach, Thulani Sibanda who told me off saying they can pay me the rest of my salary and winning bonuses and let me go. I was only interested in resolving the issue but he was hostile to me,” said Moyo.
On the other hand, Sibanda accused Moyo of being unappreciative of what the club had done for him, saying last year the footballer had played without a contract despite being paid the agreed fee, which he declined to reveal.
“He came when he was desperate after being dumped by Caps and we gave him a chance, we agreed on a fee which he took but declined to sign the contract but we were not perturbed, together with Gift Saunyama they thought they could attract interest from other clubs after taking the funds but that did not happen,” he said.
Online Reporter