Sports / Soccer
Dembare players boycott training
13 Aug 2014 at 03:25hrs | Views
CASTLE Lager Premier Soccer League defending champions Dynamos were yesterday thrown into turmoil after players boycotted training, pushing for an increase in bonuses.
The players spent the better part of the day locked in meetings with the club executive.
Sources told NewsDay Sport yesterday that the dispute between the team management and the players emanated from an increase of winning bonuses awarded to the players.
It is alleged that after the players were awarded winning bonuses of $300 up from $150, they demanded a similar increase on their draw bonuses which currently stand at $50.
This, however, did not go down well with the team's executive which believes the demands are "ridiculous".
This led to a stand-off, resulting in players refusing to train.
"The issue is that the players are not happy that after they got an increase in winning bonus, they demanded that the draw bonus should also be increased," the source said on condition of anonymity.
"On the other hand, the executive feel it is too much and is trying to convince the players to accept the offer given to them."
Club secretary Webster Chikengezha could not be reached for comment as he was locked in a meeting with the players, trying to convince them to remain focused ahead of their first round match in the revived Chibuku Shumba Cup against an improving Black Rhinos.
Dynamos meet the army side at Gwanzura on Sunday.
Black Rhinos have been enjoying top form since Jostein Mathuthu took over the reins.
They have not tasted defeat since they were edged 2-1 by Dynamos in a league match on July 6.
The army side have, in their past five games, won three matches and drawn two, including a 1-0 win over Bulawayo giants Highlanders two weeks ago.
Black Rhinos striker Lot Chiwunga struck a stunning solo goal which handed Highlanders their second defeat of the season. They also beat How Mine by a single goal in back-to-back clashes in the league before holding the champions to a 0-0 draw at Rimuka Stadium - a result which has given them the much-needed motivation going into the Chibuku Cup at the weekend.
The top eight teams as of Week 15 of the Premier Soccer League - Highlanders, ZPC Kariba, Dynamos, Caps United, Hwange, Buffaloes, FC Platinum and How Mine - were seeded and were paired against the bottom eight as of mid-season.
Highlanders were drawn to face Shabanie Mine while Caps United were paired against Chapungu, with ZPC Kariba facing Harare City.
Bulawayo sides How Mine and Chicken Inn will clash in the first round of the matches, while FC Platinum, now under Norman Mapeza who took over from Lloyd Mutasa, face Bantu Rovers.
Buffaloes have a date against Chiredzi, while Hwange will take on Triangle.
Chibuku Cup first round fixtures:
Saturday: ZPC Kariba v Harare City (Rimuka), FC Platinum v Bantu (Mandava), Caps United v Chapungu (Rufaro), How Mine v Chicken Inn (Luveve)
Sunday: Dynamos v Black Rhinos (Gwanzura), Highlanders v Shabanie Mine (Luveve), Hwange v Triangle (Colliery), Buffaloes v Chiredzi (Sakubva)
The players spent the better part of the day locked in meetings with the club executive.
Sources told NewsDay Sport yesterday that the dispute between the team management and the players emanated from an increase of winning bonuses awarded to the players.
It is alleged that after the players were awarded winning bonuses of $300 up from $150, they demanded a similar increase on their draw bonuses which currently stand at $50.
This, however, did not go down well with the team's executive which believes the demands are "ridiculous".
This led to a stand-off, resulting in players refusing to train.
"The issue is that the players are not happy that after they got an increase in winning bonus, they demanded that the draw bonus should also be increased," the source said on condition of anonymity.
"On the other hand, the executive feel it is too much and is trying to convince the players to accept the offer given to them."
Club secretary Webster Chikengezha could not be reached for comment as he was locked in a meeting with the players, trying to convince them to remain focused ahead of their first round match in the revived Chibuku Shumba Cup against an improving Black Rhinos.
Dynamos meet the army side at Gwanzura on Sunday.
They have not tasted defeat since they were edged 2-1 by Dynamos in a league match on July 6.
The army side have, in their past five games, won three matches and drawn two, including a 1-0 win over Bulawayo giants Highlanders two weeks ago.
Black Rhinos striker Lot Chiwunga struck a stunning solo goal which handed Highlanders their second defeat of the season. They also beat How Mine by a single goal in back-to-back clashes in the league before holding the champions to a 0-0 draw at Rimuka Stadium - a result which has given them the much-needed motivation going into the Chibuku Cup at the weekend.
The top eight teams as of Week 15 of the Premier Soccer League - Highlanders, ZPC Kariba, Dynamos, Caps United, Hwange, Buffaloes, FC Platinum and How Mine - were seeded and were paired against the bottom eight as of mid-season.
Highlanders were drawn to face Shabanie Mine while Caps United were paired against Chapungu, with ZPC Kariba facing Harare City.
Bulawayo sides How Mine and Chicken Inn will clash in the first round of the matches, while FC Platinum, now under Norman Mapeza who took over from Lloyd Mutasa, face Bantu Rovers.
Buffaloes have a date against Chiredzi, while Hwange will take on Triangle.
Chibuku Cup first round fixtures:
Saturday: ZPC Kariba v Harare City (Rimuka), FC Platinum v Bantu (Mandava), Caps United v Chapungu (Rufaro), How Mine v Chicken Inn (Luveve)
Sunday: Dynamos v Black Rhinos (Gwanzura), Highlanders v Shabanie Mine (Luveve), Hwange v Triangle (Colliery), Buffaloes v Chiredzi (Sakubva)
Source - newsday
