Days before Harare giants Dynamos FC and Caps United FC renew their rivalry in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) Charity Shield semi-final, both teams’ players have refused to train owing to outstanding salaries and winning bonuses which they are owed by their respective clubs.
Caps United players players engaged in the industrial action due to unpaid winning bonuses which date back to their participation in the Champions League last year.
The Green Machine,although they were not being paid, managed to reach the group stages of premier club tournament in Africa.
Some players who spoke to 263Chat said they will not take to the field until their salaries have been paid.
“We are not going to be training because of arrears which the clubs owe us. We are broke and we can no longer afford to attend training. Football is our source of income , that is where we work but if it is like this, then we cannot manage to continue to come to our work,” said one Caps United player.
Across town, Dynamos players are singing from the same tune book as they are also owed part of their salaries and winning bonuses from last season.
Dembare club president Kenny Mubaiwa blamed their new sponsor , Netone, for not owning up to their obligation of paying part of the players’ salaries for January.
He said,contrary to reports, the club does not owe the any of their players anything from last year.
“We have not yet received the January salaries from the sponsor and as soon as the money is there they will be paid their January salary.
“Last season we paid what we had because we all know the state of our economy, but we tried to pay them what we had and all what is said about the issue of salaries is a lie.
The two teams have in the past struggled financially, despite attracting huge grounds in their respective games.
