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Quelaton, who suffered a heavy 4-0 home defeat to FC Platinum without giving a fight, face Dynamos at Rufaro Stadium on Sunday in the first round of the Mbada Diamonds Cup.

Senior players said morale in camp had hit rock bottom and what was keeping them at the club was $100 participation fee that they would receive after the Dynamos game.

“The truth is, the players are not motivated and this is frustrating the guys. We are living on the little money we get from the director (Tawanda Ruzive) and most of the times it’s only a few players who get it. After this tournament (Mbada Diamonds Cup), you will see that most of the players will walk away,” said one player.

Some of the players claim that they are still owed signing-on fees.

They are hoping that after the diamonds powered competition, they will get part of their dues.

In the mid-season window, Quelaton parted ways with their former skipper Amani Makhiwa who joined Zifa Central Region Division One Soccer League log leaders Tripple B.

He was followed by former national Under-17 utility player Proud Zireni who is said to have left for Botswana in search of greener pastures.

The players claim the departure of the two players was just a tip of the iceberg of the problems that were bedevilling the once ambitious Bulawayo club.

“A player exodus is looming because the guys feel they have had enough and they want to move on. Those who will be lucky and be part of the 18-man squad for the Dynamos game can salvage something before they leave.

“Most of the guys wanted to leave during the mid-season transfer-window but they changed heart after being told that they will get their dues from proceeds of the Mbada Diamonds Cup,” said another player.

If Quelaton lose to Dynamos on Sunday, they are guaranteed of $10 000. The club might also get half the amount as they have an outstanding $5 000 fine they have to pay to the league after being charged for using a suspended player during their 3-0 loss to Motor Action in the first half of the season.

In a letter to the club’s secretary, PSL noted that Quelaton fielded Zibusiso Sibanda who had been expelled in a league match against Shabanie Mine on 6 April.

Responding to player unrest at his club, Ruzive said the club had an open door policy but warned players that they had contracts which they had to fulfil.

He conceded that they were on their way to the unfashionable Division One Soccer League.

“You know when things are not going on well, a lot is said. I can understand the frustration the boys are going through because we are not winning even at home and to be realistic, that is not good at all and we have to start planning for Division One. This is not to say we will go down without a fight.

“On the players walking out, it must be noted that they have contracts and they have to play all the remaining games. We will not stand in players’ way if they want to move. It is not a secret that in terms of resources we are struggling and this is affecting a number of teams in the league because there are no sponsors. The little that we have had we have tried to give the players so that they have something,” said Ruzive.

He said some of the players deserved to be in the Premiership and was hopeful that the players would use the remaining games to market themselves.

Some of the players who have showed flashes of brilliance at the relegation-bound club include midfielders Timothy January, Eddie Nkulungo, Innocent Kutsanzira and on-loan Sibanda who is from New West City.