Warriors players boycott training

Warriors players boycott training

CHAOS: Warriors coach Valinhos has not been paid since May

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By Nkanyiso Moyo

ZIMBABWE’S preparations for Sunday’s crunch 2010 World Cup and Africa Nations Cup clash against Guinea were in disarray after players boycotted training on Wednesday over unpaid allowances.

It has emerged that Brazilian coach Jose Valinhos has not been paid since May after ZIFA’S sponsorship deal with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority – which picked the bill for the first six months – expired.

Zimbabwe must beat Guinea on Sunday to stay in contention to progress to the next stage of qualifying.

They must do so without skipper Benjani Mwaruwari who is injured, and with only a few days’ training.

The players say they are owed US$10 000 each for representing their country in various competitions this year – including the 2010 World Cup/African Cup of Nations Group 2 matches against Kenya and Namibia.

The financial problems were not limited to the playing staff. Radio VOP reported that a transport operator hired to carry the players to training had withdrawn its services after demanding cash upfront.

Only two players – Justice Majabvi and Edward Sadomba -- who were not part of the squad for the Namibia and Kenyan matches turned up for training together with their coach at Dynamos, David Mandigora, who is Valinhos’ assistant.

All members of the coaching staff and Valinhos turned up, but not the bulk of the squad who remained at their hotel.

ZIFA chairman Wellington Nyatanga and chief executive officer Henrietta Rushwaya and finance chief Gladmore Muzambi were all reported to be in South Africa.

Zimbabwe were boosted by the arrival of Cyprus-based defender Noel Kaseke, but that was tinctured by news that striker Musa Mguni had pulled out with a muscle strain.

The Warriors were held to a 0-0 draw by Kenya at Rufaro in their last game in Group 2 and need a good bounce to stay in touch with Kenya and Guinea who are both on seven points, two ahead of Zimbabwe.

With only the group winners assured of a ticket into the final qualifying round, defeat for Zimbabwe will take their fate away from their hands. On top of the group winners, the best eight runners-up will also qualify for the second round.

Announcing his team, Valinhos wielded the axe on Belgium-based midfield trio of Cephas Chimedza, Vusa Nyoni and Honour Gombami. He also dropped strikers Takesure Chinyama, who plies his trade in Poland, and South Africa-based Kingstone Nkatha.

WARRIORS SQUAD TO FACE GUINEA:

Goalkeepers: E. Murambadoro, T. Kapini, E. Sibanda

Defenders: D. Kutyauripo, N. Kaseke, O. Bhasera, Z. Jambo, J. Matola, Z. Makonese, O. Moyo, G. Banda

Midfielders: E. Nyandoro, J. Majabvi, C. Matawu, T. Nengomasha, O. Karuru, Q. Antipas, J. Luphahla, J. Ngwenya

Strikers: E. Sadomba, C. Malajila, G. Mushangazhike

2010 World Cup/African Cup of Nations Qualifiers:
Group Two Results:

Zimbabwe 0-0 Kenya
Guinea 4-0 Namibia

Zimbabwe’s Remaining Fixtures:

6-8 September- Zimbabwe vs Guinea

17-19 October Namibia vs Zimbabwe

South Africa qualify for the World Cup finals as hosts. The 12 group winners and the eight best runners-up will contest the next stage in the qualification process.

Group 2 Log:

	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
1	Guinea	4	2	1	1	6	3	7
2	Kenya	4	2	1	1	5	2	7
3	Zimbabwe	4	1	2	1	2	2	5
4	Namibia	4	1	0	3	3	9	3

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