THE Warriors could plunge into yet another crisis ahead of the 2017 African Cup of Nations football qualifier against Guinea at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday with reports suggesting the players are contemplating a strike over outstanding payments.
BY TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA
Informed sources said Zifa still owe the Warriors $42 000 in allowances from their successful trip to Malawi in June.
The players initially staged a sit in before they were persuaded to travel to Blantyre after Zifa promised to pay them on their return. That promise was never fulfilled.
The sources said the players have had enough and want Zifa to settle the debt first before they could commit themselves to the field on Sunday.
They reportedly demanded an audience with the Zifa leadership yesterday over the issue, but none came to address them.
“The players wanted to meet with the Zifa leadership over the outstanding $42 000 they were promised for the game against Malawi. They spent the whole day waiting for Zifa to come and address them, but no one came. No one really knows what will happen, but the players are concerned over the failure by Zifa to fulfil their promise,” said the source who asked for anonymity.
As if that was not enough, the players had their scheduled afternoon training session delayed because Zifa had failed to provide lunch on time.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The session was scheduled to commence at 3pm at the National Sports Stadium, but only started more than an hour later.
But despite the recurring challenges they face every time they are in camp, the Warriors players appeared to be in high spirits yesterday as coach Kalisto Pasuwa finally had his first training session with a full squad.
Towering striker Nyasha Mushekwi — who is now back at his South African club Mamelodi Sundowns following the expiry of his loan spell at Swedish club Djurgården where he had been in sparkling form and was the third top goal scorer with 12 goals before he left — said he was excited to be back in the Warriors fold.
“It has been a while since I played for the national team and it’s a great feeling to represent my country. It’s a new challenge and I just hope for the best. We have a very good squad and I see there are a lot of youngsters in the team, but this is a big game and we just have to push to get a good result. I have been in top form in Sweden, God has been helping me and I hope to carry the same form to the national team. It will not be easy, but this is like a must-win match for us,” Mushekwi said.
