How Mine players strike ahead of Bosso clash

HOW Mine FC players yesterday boycotted training at Luveve Stadium in protest against the failure by the club to pay them signing on fees.

According to sources, the players started by staging a sit-in on Wednesday forcing the executive to intervene yesterday. The executive promised to pay the outstanding money soon.

The players' demands come a few days before the Metallon Gold-sponsored club takes on Bulawayo giants Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday.

In an interview last night, How Mine's vice-chairman Alpha Matumbura confirmed the development which he said they had since resolved.

"It is true that our players staged a sit-in but we have since resolved the matter. As a club we acknowledge that we owe them part of their signing on fees but it is unfortunate that they had to do this especially at a time when we have a big game. What we have said is that we are going to pay them half of what we owe them after the game on Sunday and we will clear everything by the end of the week," said Matumbura.

The club hopes to use the Sunday gate takings to pay the outstanding money. The gold miners are at home and they will be hoping that Bulawayo soccer fans come in their numbers for the city derby.

At the beginning of the week How Mine had been given permission to hike gate charges for their big game from $3 to $5 for the rest of the ground so that they could maximise on their profits.

However, the club resolved to resort to the normal charges in the hope of attracting a big crowd. The gold miners' executive agreed to have the lowest ticket going for $3 with the wings at $5 while the VIP will cost $10.


Fixtures
Saturday: Chicken Inn v Black Rhinos (Luveve), Tripple B v Hwange (Dulibadzimu), Shabanie Mine v Motor Action (Maglas)
Sunday: How Mine v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro), Triangle v Harare City (Gibbo), FC Platinum v Monomotapa (Mandava)
Monday: Black Mambas v Buffaloes (Morris Depot)