CAPS players boycott training

By Chipo Sabeta

CAPS United players on Tuesday boycotted training amid turmoil over outstanding salaries. The Green Machine players are owed salaries, winning bonuses and unpaid signing on fees.

Makepekepe are said to be sitting on a US$30 000 monthly salary budget besides other day to day expenses of the club.

However, players, who were addressed several times, opted to sit out of Tuesday’s training session in the morning and afternoon and vowed not to train ahead of their next fixture against Mutare City until they get paid.

CAPS United board chairman Lewis Uriri said he was not aware of the boycott but however conceded that they are in arrears.

“The solitary outstanding dues are for the last month. We didn’t pay them in May and its just 10 days after the new month. I mean ten working days.

“We have addressed them of our challenges and we are fully aware. I am sure you understand that our economy is not stable and considering that we have a US$30 000 monthly budget . . .” he said.

“We are working on the issue and we can assure them that they will receive their salaries soon.”

An insider revealed that the current situation has caused unrest among players and coaches.

It is alleged that players are not motivated and the unrest has been recently affecting results despite a bright start to the season.

Makepekepe have collected only five points out of a possible 12 in their last four matches.

The source said, “They last received salaries in April and have not been receiving winning bonuses.

“The majority of all signed players have not received their sign on fees except for a few selected ones.

“It’s also unfortunate that only the head coach Lloyd Chitembwe has a binding contract and the rest of the technical member are on a verbal agreement.

“Chitembwe has a stable remuneration whilst assistant Mark Mathe is receiving the same amount of winning bonuses that players and other technical members are being paid.

“It’s been boiling up for months and its pointing to a disaster which has just begun with such training boycott,” added the source.

Meanwhile, two senior players are said to have since requested for transfer letters ahead of the transfer windows next month.

Dominic Chungwa and Allen Gahadzikwa are said to heading for an exit in July.

Chungwa and defender Dennis Dauda are on trials with South Africa’s National First Division side Black Leopards. Gahadzikwa, who joined Makepekepe is yet to feature in any competitive match this season so far. H Metro