Zimbabwe crashed out of the Cosafa Cup when they put on a shambolic display against Namibia last night as players crossed swords with Zifa before the match over bonuses.
The Warriors had appeared on course for a quarter-final berth against neighbours and holders Zambia heading into last night’s match where they just needed a point to top their group.
A double from Deon Hotto either side of a single strike each by defender Chris Katjiukua and Sadney Urikhob saw Namibia go through, while Zimbabwe got their face saver from a late Raphael Manuvire penalty.
After dispatching Mauritius and the Seychelles in their two games, the Warriors, who had not conceded before the Namibia tie were odds-on favourites to win their group but an uncharacteristic showing sent them packing as it emerged they had been denied bonuses.
This was despite Zifa receiving R560 000 from Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) ministries founder — Walter Magaya — two weeks ago to fund the Warriors during their participation in the regional tourney. On top of that, the players received $1 500 each for taking part in the tournament during the church service held in Harare.
Before last night’s match, players told the Daily News they had not been given money that came from Magaya.
“Morale is very low in the camp; we did not get our winning bonuses for the first two matches. The Zifa leadership is always said to be in endless meetings,” said a senior Warriors player from South Africa, who declined to be named for fear of victimisation.
“They wrote their budget and were given everything by Magaya but the problem with our bosses is that they will divert that money and use it for their own benefit.
“I think they are concentrating on their recent leadership problems and are forgetting to give us our winning bonuses and allowances.”
Another player said they were now concerned that they were unlikely to receive a single cent when they return to Zimbabwe after the tournament.
“This is the same thing that happened with the Chan money.
“We were promised we would get it when we got home and it’s now over a year-and-a-half but we haven’t received anything,” he said.
Embattled Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze told the Daily News they were not paying the players bonuses but match appearance fees until they had completed their group and qualified.
“We don’t pay bonuses for group stages during the tournament. We pay daily appearance fees and for the appearance, we are paying them,” said Mashingaidze.
“We are going to settle bonuses for the group stages after the tournament and we are going to settle this from the prize money.”
Magaya refused to wade into the bonus row by diplomatically reminding the Daily News that he had fulfilled what was asked of him by Zifa.
“If they misused the funds that I gave them, it’s now between them and their God. For me, my duty was only to give,” he said.
“I have learnt that if you give, you must also forget. If you follow up on what you have given you will be pulling down your blessings. To be frank, I don’t have time to check what is happening at Zifa.”
Zimbabwe national soccer teams — both junior and senior — have lurched from one dispute to another with Zifa either over poor preparations or bonuses.
Zifa is saddled with heavy debts and is currently in turmoil following the suspension of president Cuthbert Dube over poor administration of the game although Fifa contends his ouster was unconstitutional. Daily News