Sports / Soccer
Zimbabwe Warriors boycott training
21 Oct 2015 at 13:14hrs | Views
Warriors' preparations for the second leg of the final qualifier of the African Nations Championships against Lesotho in Maseru this weekend suffered a dent yesterday after the players went on strike over non-payment of allowances dating back to the Comoros ties.
The players staged a sit-in at their lodge in Bulawayo saying ZIFA owed them a significant amount for the CHAN qualifiers.
The Warriors' preparations have often been marred by problems due to ZIFA's dishonesty and it's not clear whether they will stick to the schedule of leaving for Lesotho on Friday due to the players' industrial action.
Coach Callisto Pasuwa was forced to adjust his training schedule following the players' refusal to attend both the morning and afternoon sessions until they are paid.
He asked all the players to go for an ice bath to relieve muscle pain instead of just loitering after they had refused to board the team bus to training.
The players questioned ZIFA's sincerity after officials from the embattled Association disappeared soon after the Warriors' tie at Barbourfields without paying them.
ZIFA claimed they realised a gross income of $20,537 from Sunday's gate takings after 6,121 fans paid to watch the match.
However, the players said after several months of ZIFA lies, they feel they have been left with no option other than to take this course of action.
The players said the daily allowances leading to the Lesotho match amount to $150 with the appearance fee being $250.
This means that for the Lesotho game, ZIFA owe the 18 players and seven technical staff members a total of $10 000.
ZIFA owe a further $600 to the four players dropped on the eve of the game.
"We're not mercenaries, but we've come to realise that these people only act when they see that we mean business. We will only train or travel to Lesotho once we've been paid something," said another player.
It is not clear whether the players will maintain their confrontational stance today.
The Warriors' strike comes at a time Government just cleared the $81 000 debt owed to former Warriors' head coach Valinhos.
Zifa spokesman Xolisani Gwesela said they were making plans to raise funds to pay the players.
The players staged a sit-in at their lodge in Bulawayo saying ZIFA owed them a significant amount for the CHAN qualifiers.
The Warriors' preparations have often been marred by problems due to ZIFA's dishonesty and it's not clear whether they will stick to the schedule of leaving for Lesotho on Friday due to the players' industrial action.
Coach Callisto Pasuwa was forced to adjust his training schedule following the players' refusal to attend both the morning and afternoon sessions until they are paid.
He asked all the players to go for an ice bath to relieve muscle pain instead of just loitering after they had refused to board the team bus to training.
The players questioned ZIFA's sincerity after officials from the embattled Association disappeared soon after the Warriors' tie at Barbourfields without paying them.
ZIFA claimed they realised a gross income of $20,537 from Sunday's gate takings after 6,121 fans paid to watch the match.
However, the players said after several months of ZIFA lies, they feel they have been left with no option other than to take this course of action.
The players said the daily allowances leading to the Lesotho match amount to $150 with the appearance fee being $250.
This means that for the Lesotho game, ZIFA owe the 18 players and seven technical staff members a total of $10 000.
ZIFA owe a further $600 to the four players dropped on the eve of the game.
"We're not mercenaries, but we've come to realise that these people only act when they see that we mean business. We will only train or travel to Lesotho once we've been paid something," said another player.
It is not clear whether the players will maintain their confrontational stance today.
The Warriors' strike comes at a time Government just cleared the $81 000 debt owed to former Warriors' head coach Valinhos.
Zifa spokesman Xolisani Gwesela said they were making plans to raise funds to pay the players.
Source - the herald
