ALOIS Bunjira’s resignation as Caps United board member has added a blot on the team’s season which is threatening to unravel.
BY HENRY MHARA
Bunjira, who was ushered in last year as board member marketing, dropped the bombshell yesterday as the team was preparing to travel to Bulawayo for a Premier Soccer League clash with Bulawayo City tomorrow, saying he was quitting the club to concentrate on his Albun Football Academy and his coaching career.
In a statement, the former Green Machine player said: “I have had a great time at Caps United, but I feel I am more at home on the playing field than in the office. Maybe I will consider administration again in the near future, but for now I want to concentrate on my coaching and hope to groom good players from my academy and Zimbabwe in general. I remain a passionate member of the Caps United family. I had a great working relationship with the shareholders and the board. The relationship remains and I know they will steer the club to great heights.”
Bunjira leaves at a time the team is going through a difficult time off the pitch with reports that the players are owed salaries and bonuses dating back to June.
While Bunjira gave a tranquil picture of the situation at the club in his resignation statement, sources yesterday said all was not well within the club’s top hierarchy with president Farai Jere also contemplating quitting. Jere was quoted in the media last week, saying “the men” (board members), who were supposed to help him run the club, had chickened out.
The players threatened to boycott their trip to Hwange last week, pressing for their outstanding dues.
They only travelled after Jere paid them part of their June salaries, but morale remains low in camp.
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“We only got part of our June salaries and a promise that we would receive the remainder soon. We have ceased to be a priority and to be honest we are not happy,” a player, who revealed they would stage another sit-in if they don’t get the outstanding dues before the end of this month, said. The Green Machine started the season well, but recent events have seen them dropping four points in their last two matches, where they drew against FC Platinum and Hwange.
They remain on second position though with 37 points, two behind log leaders, FC Platinum after 19 matches. They will make the trip to Bulawayo without striker Dominic Chungwa. However, assistant coach, Fungai Kwashi said they have enough cover upfront.
Their opponents tomorrow will be looking to capitalise on the crisis as new coach, Try Ncube guns for his first maximum points in a third attempt. Ncube, who took over from the suspended Philani Ncube, has managed two draws in the two matches he has been in charge, and winning three points against the title aspirants would give his side a massive boost as they seek to avoid relegation in their maiden season in the premier league. City, who are on 10th position with 25 points, will also be without Emmanuel Mandiranga and Sipho Ndlovu for the match through suspension.
