admin- Players’ bonuses unpaid
- Factionalism rears ugly head
Midlands Correspondent
TURMOIL has hit prisons and correctional services outfit, Whawha, amid reports that morale is at an all time low in the Gweru based side’s camp as players are still to be paid their winning bonuses for the two wins the side has garnered so far.
The situation has seen factions emerge in the team’s executive with the club chairperson Musa Ntonga reportedly leading one group while the vice chairperson, Ruzvidzo Muchongwe has some members aligned to him.
Supporters are pushing for the executive’s ouster as they are demanding to know how the Dembare game “windfall” was used as the players were not paid.
The club’s supporters led by Anthony “Gushungo” Madzivanyika are said to be demanding that the club prioritise the welfare of the players as well ensuring that the executive is transparent in its financial dealings.
However, Madzivanyika refused to comment on the issue saying he does not respond to rumours in the press.
“I don’t address club business through the media. If there is any problem we use proper channels therefore I’m not in a position to comment,” he said.
The Lloyd Mutasa coached outfit are still to be paid winning bonuses for the side’s 2 – 1 win against FC Platinum as well as the famous one nil triumph over reigning league champions, Dynamos.
So bad is the situation that Mutasa almost let the cat out of the bag over the issues bedeviling “Chekera Pasi” following the team’s 1 – 2 loss to ZPC Kariba.
“As a coach we wouldn’t want to be losing such games at home. However, there are some issues at play and there are certain elements which you have no control over as coach hence you have to concentrate on elements you have control over and hope for the best in the upcoming games,” a dejected Mutasa said.
Mutasa’s diplomatic outburst referred to some of the players mutinying for two days in the run-up to the ZPC Kariba match as they demanded their outstanding bonuses and allowances.
Ntonga confirmed that the club is facing financial challenges.
“That we are facing financial challenges is not an issue because some big clubs like Caps United are in the same predicament as us. We told players that the only incentive we can give them is to give the players jobs in the prisons and correctional services and we are meeting that side of the bargain.
“However, this is not the issue that is not causing the boys to perform. It boils down to match officiating and other factors we are not in control of,” said the chairperson without elaborating.
On the tiff in the executive, Ntonga said she leads a seven members executive which is “united” saying whoever is saying she is leading a faction at the club is “dreaming.”
Online Reporter