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Ricky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
BORDER Strikers will fulfil their Castle Lager Premier Soccer League match against Mutare City Rovers at Maglas Stadium in Zvishavane on Monday after successful negotiations between players and management over outstanding wages and sign-on fees. Strikers’ players had threatened not to travel to Zvishavane for their fourth match of the season unless management made a commitment to pay their salaries for February, March and April, as well as their sign-on fees.

Club’s spokesman Raniel Ndou said they reached an understanding with the players and they are ready for Rovers. “We’re happy to report that the players and the club have found common ground and the management is running around to secure funds so that players are paid,” said Ndou.

“It’s unfortunate that the players had to strike, but we understand their plight and everything should be ironed out soon. We’re going to fulfil the match against Mutare City Rovers and the players are fit because they’ve been training while negotiations were underway,” he said.

A player who spoke on condition of anonymity said they had given the club a week to settle their dues.

“If they don’t pay us after the game against Mutare City Rovers, we will go on strike again. It’s not that we enjoy taking industrial action, but we have families that rely on us. The club should just pay us and we do our job without distractions,” said the player. The Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (Fuz), which mediated on behalf of the players, said they would be monitoring events at Strikers.

“We care about the welfare of players and clubs should treat them fairly. What’s happening at Border Strikers is sad and should be addressed quickly so that the club, players and the game of football win at the end of the day. We hope management will keep their word,” said Desmond Maringwa, the Fuz president.

Strikers’ coach Saul Chaminuka is on record as saying he is losing control of the dressing room due to the players’ unrest.

“If there’s nothing to motivate players, it becomes difficult to motivate them. As coaches, we want to control the team and have the guys concentrating on playing, but as it is, that’s difficult and I’m losing respect. I think things have been further worsened by the fact that we play our home games away, which I believe has also affected the club’s cash flow,” Chaminuka said on Wednesday.

Chaminuka, who is also the national team’s assistant coach, said his side is feeling the pressure of playing their home games away.

“I think we’re the most disadvantaged side because we’re always on the road. We never train at match venues and that affects us because the pitch at Dulibadzimu, which is under construction, is smoother than that of Maglas. However, we will try and soldier on as we hunt for our first win,” said Chaminuka.

Strikers and Rovers are both yet to register a point after three games.

They are the only teams yet to pick a point this season.

Fixtures

Saturday: Harare City v Hwange (Rufaro, SuperSport, 3PM), Chapungu v Tsholotsho FC (Ascot), How Mine v Triangle United (Luveve), ZPC Kariba v Chicken Inn (Nyamhunga)

Sunday: Bulawayo City v Highlanders (Barbourfields), Dynamos v Caps United (Rufaro, SuperSport, 3PM)

Monday: Ngezi Platinum v FC Platinum (Baobab, SuperSport, 1PM), Border Strikers v Mutare City Rovers (Maglas)