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| Sports |
| Under-20 issue 24 hour ultimatum |
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by
Garry Chirwa in Mafikeng, South Africa , 14 December 2006
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07:29:48
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The Under-20 national soccer team players Wednesday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Fam and government to settle part of their dues or else they will be forced to boycott Friday’s Cosafa Youth Championship semifinal tie against Zambia in Mafikeng, South Africa.
The lads added impetus to their threats by boycotting Wednesday morning’s training session—a development that has sparked wholesale disgruntlement and upheaval within their camp at the International School of South Africa.
The situation has forced Fam to press the panic button in an attempt to save the potentially embarrassing situation.
While coach John Kaputa and his backroom staff were waiting for their charges to show up for training, the players, led by captain Ndaziona ‘Mbulelo’ Chilemba, were busy packing their bags in readiness for the trip back home.
“We have had enough, if we don’t get anything by 10 am tomorrow, then we’ll have no choice but to depart for home.
“Our patience has worn very thin and we cannot go on like this. Fam and government must do something or else we are ready to go back home tomorrow,” said Chilemba who was flanked by his assistant Vincent Gona.
Chilemba said it is unfortunate that government is failing to pay their dues when it is able to pay fat cheques to officials “for unnecessary workshops in posh resorts in Mangochi and other places.”
Midfielder Jester Mulima chipped in: “We have won all our three games so far and that translates to K15,000 each exclusive of external allowances which are in excess of K30,000 each.”
Kaputa described the situation as very unfortunate, saying it might affect the performance of the team when they engage Zambia Friday.
“We have missed this morning’s training session and with the way the situation is, we are most likely not to train in the afternoon while [Zambia] are busy training,” said Kaputa.
Fam president Walter Nyamilandu said the football governing body was finalising talks with a potential sponsor Wednesday.
“It is a very unfortunate situation but we are trying our best to make sure that we send a little something to the boys and hopefully the situation will be put under control.
“I have spoken to the leader of delegation Anderson Zimba who has briefed me about the situation and he will be addressing the boys regarding the efforts we are making,” said Nyamilandu.
Apart from their game bonuses, the players are entitled to US $20 (K2,800) as daily external allowance which will come up to K30,600 for the 10 days they will spend here.
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