WATCH: Bitter taste at Arenel Movers

ARENEL Movers’ loss to Yadah on Saturday has opened a can of worms amid reports that all is not well at the club.

Despite the club leadership previously and still insisting the situation at the club is stable, the players and coaches are singing a different tune.

In his post-match interview after losing 2-0 to Yadah, Arenel coach Farai Tawachera hinted that there are problems at the club.

Tawachera revealed that they did not go for camp before the match, as it was called off on Friday evening.

This was not the first time the team failed to camp as the same happened when they hosted FC Platinum.

“The whole set up is wrong, from the administration up to the ground. We are trying our best as coaches but it’s not coming (working) out. I wouldn’t want to talk much about it but the whole set up is just wrong. I’m not throwing in the towel but, they need to correct their mistakes.

“If we lose like this people will sit down but, if we continue picking points here and there they won’t see the danger of it.

“This is a wake-up call for us. They think football is played by coaches and players but, it’s not like that. That’s why it’s a house, everyone must play their part,” said Tawachera.

Players who spoke to Zimpapers Sports Hub on condition of anonymity also aired their grievances.

“We have families to feed and these guys keep promising us lies, it’s really frustrating. They paid us half salaries at beginning of the month and we were told the remainder was going to be deposited into our accounts the following day but up to now there is nothing. They even had the audacity to tell us two weeks ago that they had deposited the money yet there was nothing like that,” said the player.

“Forget about me going to training this week. We are playing for nothing in any case l would rather be at home and my family won’t expect anything,” another player said.

A club official also suggested there was something not being done correctly by the team’s leadership.

“The major problem is the people who are in the executive want to run this thing like a social club. We are talking of people who don’t know football but they are in those executive positions.

“I understand the company said the club must get products and go and sell, look for partners if they can but honestly can you run football from week sales? We need to be organised when money is not there,” said the official.

However, club leadership still insists everything is well.

Club administrator Juma Phiri said they are trying to make ends meet like any other local club.

“Firstly, on the comment made by the coach, it’s very unfortunate when you comment out of emotions, 99 percent of the time you will say things out of anger which you will regret tomorrow,” said Phiri.

He admitted that players’ dues are outstanding.

“The money may not be coming on time but it does come through late. And again, it’s a known fact that resources don’t just come easy and we also know that our football here in Zimbabwe drains money, it doesn’t really bring back what you spend. The game we played against FC Platinum, the team had trained once that week and we did not camp and you saw for yourself we played exceptionally well in my opinion. Let’s accept the result at the end of the day,” said Phiri.

Two late goals drove the match to a draw after Arenel led 2-0 up to the 80th minute.

Club president Handsome Ncube said: “Just like any club we are facing challenges here and there but the situation is stable and we want to see the team survive relegation.”

Last year, when the club was playing in the Zifa Southern Region Division One, they defied all odds despite facing financial challenges that saw their players go for months without getting their salaries. The players were constantly receiving winning bonuses. – @innocentskizoe