Dembare bosses on collision course

The crisis at Harare giants Dynamos took a turn on Thursday when it emerged that differences between key figures in the club's executive could be the reason behind the players' strike.

Indications from the Dembare camp are that there is growing tension between club chairman Kenny Mubaiwa and secretary general Webster Chikengezha, with the latter said to be siding with the players' move, while the former is accusing him of influencing the players.

"The secretary general, Webster Chikengezha, feels that the executive should honour its pledge to give players the agreed bonuses and allowances.

Chikengezha feels that there is no need for him to go and address the players when Mubaiwa is refusing to give the players money which they agreed upon as an executive. Mubaiwa on the other hand feels that his secretary general has a hand in the strike by the players," a source at the Glamour Boys told The Zimbabwe Mail.

According to the source, the rift between the two executive members goes back as far as last March when Mubaiwa suffered a heavy defeat in an election for the PSL chairmanship, going down 12-3 to incumbent league boss Twine Phiri.

Mubaiwa, the source says, is now calling for the ouster of the secretary general.

"Mubaiwa also believes the strike by the players early this year which cost him the PSL chairmanship had the blessings of Chikengezha. He believes had it not been for the player unrest he would have won the PSL chairmanship. He has also realised that it was not Pasuwa who stabbed him in the back, but some within the executive and the board," said the insider.

"Thus the Dynamos boss is now pushing for the ouster of Chikengezha from the executive. The board like has been the norm, has also been sucked in with some radicals calling for the removal of Chikengezha. Mubaiwa is saying if the players do want to play they should just quit football. He has remained adamant that he will not address the players and is prepared for a petition should the players write one.

"The players on the other hand are threatening not to fulfil the Chibuku Super Cup first round match against Black Rhinos on Sunday," he added.

Mubaiwa, who had been expected to address the players yesterday, told The Zimbabwe Mail that he had not met the players as he was still out of town.

"I am still at the farm. You can call Chikengezha. I will be coming to Harare tomorrow (today)," said Mubaiwa.

Efforts to get comment Chikengezha were fruitless yesterday as his mobile phone was on voicemail.

The Zimbabwe Mail understands that a meeting aimed at resolving was convened for yesterday afternoon, but by nightfall, the conflicting parties were still locked in discussions.

However, indications are that the Dynamos players were last night considering abandoning plans to boycott the Chibuku Super Cup clash by resuming training today.