The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
WHILE Dynamos fans are reveling in glory following the team’s 4-0 victory against Yadah in the Chibuku Super Cup last weekend, the players are not happy and almost boycotted training Tuesday morning as they voiced their concern over ‘paltry salaries’.
The players have been pressing the executive for a salary adjustment for some time, but their pleas have been falling on deaf ears and now there is unrest in the Dynamos camp ahead of Thursday’s Chibuku Super Cup match against ZPC Kariba.
Players who spoke to The Sunday Mail Sport revealed that some of them were earning a little less than $20 000 or US$150.
Dynamos are being bankrolled by Gold Leaf Tobacco and have been paying salaries consistently but the players are not happy with the amount.
“The situation almost degenerated into chaos at the training ground today (Tuesday). We expressed our concern over the paltry salaries, some players had even suggested we boycott training but in the end we trained because we respect our coaches.
“Some of us are getting something like $20 000, with no bonuses or any other incentives yet we are expected to play and match other teams that are getting bonuses,” said the player.
Another player also revealed how they struggle for bus fare from their respective suburbs.
“The salary we are getting is not even enough to cover the demands at home. So we end up struggling to find transport to and from town for training sessions,” he said.
On the surface it appears all is well at Dynamos but behind the scenes a potential crisis is brewing at the Harare giants.
The players have not been camping ahead of matches and there are reports that the technical members are yet to sign contracts, five months into the year.
Head coach Tonderai Ndiraya, his assistants Gift Muzadzi and Naison Muchekela are yet to formalize their employment at Dynamos.
Ndiraya could not be reached for a comment as his phone was not available.
The gaffer could have an undesirable task of motivating disgruntled players as Dynamos continue with their quest to win the Chibuku Super Cup for the first time since the trophy’s introduction in 2014.
They play ZPC Kariba at the National Sports Stadium on Thursday in their third match of Group One before clashing against rivals CAPS United at the same venue on Sunday.
Dynamos Marketing and Communications Manager, Yvonne Mangunda, played down the simmering crisis.
“Players trained today and salaries are up to date,” she said.
“We are focused on the upcoming match against ZPC Kariba on Thursday and preparing for that,” she added.
“I am actually hearing the news from you because the players trained today, salaries are up to date,” she said.
