SPORTS WRITER • 1 February 2014 7:30AM • 6 comments
CAPE TOWN – The Zimbabwe national football team boycotted training on Friday ahead of Saturday’s African Nations Championship (Chan) third place play-off against Nigeria.
The players were protesting the non-payment of their bonuses and allowances by the Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) since they arrived in South Africa for the competition reserved for locally based players.
The Warriors unexpectedly reached the semifinals of the tournament where they unfortunately lost 5-4 on penalties to North African side Libya on Wednesday night.
Despite their efforts during the tournament, the players feel the team management is being insincere to their plight.
“All we have got from the management is promises and more promises. We feel that we have done a good job by reaching the semifinals,” one player who requested anonymity in fear of victimisation told the Daily News last night.
“As players we fear that when we get to Zimbabwe, Zifa might fail to pay us the money they owe us.”
The players have also threatened not to fulfil Saturday’s play-off against Nigeria if the situation is not addressed.
If this goes ahead, it will be a great embarrassment for Zifa and tournament organisers the Confederation of African Football (Caf).
Only on Thursday night, the Spanish Copa Del Rey quarterfinal second leg clash between Racing Santander and Real Sociedad was called off after the Santander players protested against unpaid salaries.
The third-tier team announced on Monday they would boycott the game unless club president Angel Lavin and the board resigned and they formed a line on the centre circle immediately after the match at the Sardinero began.
Sociedad played the ball around in their own half for about a minute before the referee consulted home captain Mario Fernandez and brought the tie to a halt.
The Warriors players are likely to take similar action like the one taken by the Santander squad unless this impasse is resolved.