WARRIORS players today threatened to boycott the opening
Afcon match against Egypt at the Cairo International Stadium Friday night over
outstanding payments.
Given the importance of the tournament opener against the
hosts, the players are fully aware that Zifa cannot afford a boycott given the
consequences.
The players are also fully aware that Zifa have already
been guaranteed money by the government-endorsed fundraising committee who got
pledges from many corporates and also President ED Mnangagwa.
But given Zifa’s history with players, they are fully aware
that allowing the mother body to make promises will leave them facing the same
problems that haunted previous teams.
H-Metro spoke to a number of players who confirmed the
development but declined to be named in fear of victimization.
It is understood the players are demanding US$21 000
upfront to commit themselves for tomorrow’s match against the Pharaohs.
One of the players said Zifa had misled the Kazembe
Kazembe-led Warriors Fundraising Committee that the boys have been paid their
dues.
“This is painful Zifa is bringing 100 people and they even
chartered a flight to Cairo but we were not given any cent.
“They lied about our allowances. They are due since
Tuesday, it’s heartbreaking. These people are heartless, kana cent zvaro
imagine wangu” said one player.
“Remember these people were given money by the fundraising
committee, we have been following the updates and they then told the Minister
that we have been paid already. When an official from the Ministry arrived
here, the Zifa guys disappeared.
“So if it remains like these Zifa officials are the ones
going to play, vachatamba ivo bhora racho.
It also emerged Zifa is not committing to the medication of
Walter Musona and Tafadzwa Kutinyu who got injured while in camp.
“Walter (Musona) and Tafadzwa Kutinyu suffered serious
injuries while in camp but Zifa is doing nothing. With this kind of
arrangement, you get fade up. We cannot talk of patriotism here,” said another
player. H Metro
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