Horror in Soweto ….players in unsanctioned trip

Sport
BY BRIAN NKIWANE A Zimbabwean clubs select team led by coach Rodwell Dhlakama sneaked out of the country and participated in an unsanctioned tournament in Soweto, South Africa in December.

The revelations about the trip comes barely a month after Zifa released the Asiagate report, which revealed that the Zimbabwe Warriors were paid to throw away matches during their controversial tours to several Asian countries.In a carbon copy of the Asiagate scandal, a team known as “Zimbabwean clubs or Select Team” hitch- hiked to South Africa and participated in a tournament known as Discovery Cup in Soweto without the authority of the Sports and Recreation Commission and Zifa. The players handpicked by Dhlakama for the Soweto tournament included top premiership players like goalkeeper Maxwell Nyamapangedengu, Daniel Kamunhenga, Solomon Nyangwaya, Edmore Chitato, Tendai Nyamadzawo, and Martin Vengesai. Dribbling wizard Hasmonia Ziso and Talent Maphosa and Tapiwa Khumbuyani were part of the squad. Former Chapungu winger Collins Mahara assisted Dhlakama on the bench.The players were contacted by telephone by Dhlakama and were promised appearances fees of R2 000 per player before traveling to South Africa by road. The team managed to reach the finals of the Discovery Cup but missed out on the top prize of R80 000 and a Toyota Quantum after going down to South African club Trap Zone 1-0. The “Zimbabwe Select” received R20 000, which is now at the centre of dispute as the players are still to receive R2 000 appearance fees, in addition to winning bonuses. The aggrieved players have in turn made a report to the Football Association of Zimbabwe (Fuz) to assist them in recovering their outstanding appearances and bonuses from Dhlakama. The players said they also struggled to return home from South Africa as the organiser of the Discovery Cup known to the players as “Pastor” was refusing to give them bus fare unless they played in another tournament. The players started coming back home after Christmas with the last batch arriving in the country in the New Year penniless.In two separate letters in possession of the Standardsport, the players narrated their harrowing ordeal to Fuz during the tournament in South Africa from December 15 – 21. The issue would have probably been out of the public domain had the players being paid on their return.“We kindly ask you to help us recover our funds from Rodwell Dhlakama for the Discovery Cup in South Africa. We were promised appearance fees of R2 000 each, good accommodation and winning bonuses. Surprisingly we never got anything from him (Rodwell Dhlakama) and we only received R50,” wrote one of the players to Fuz.The other player complained about the false promises by Dhlakama although they had to endure sub-standard accommodation in Soweto.

“We were tricked into traveling to SA (South Africa) by Rodwell Dhlakama on the pretext that we were to receive appearance and allowance fees upon arrival. However, none of the promised fees materialized, rather we had to scavenge for food since it was scarce, the accommodation was sub-standard as compared to what we had been told. We had to sleep on mattresses with protruding spring wires.“Even coming back home was a challenge for us as we had no bus fare as the organiser “Pastor” was not willing to give us the bus fare unless we played another tournament for him,” wrote one of the players.

In a letter to Dhlakama dated January 18, which was also copied to the Zimbabwe Soccer Coaches Association, Fuz said they were disappointed by the Dhlakama’s conduct.“We are in receipt of two letters of complaint from players who claim that you travelled or made to travel arrangements for them to play to play in a soccer tournament in South Africa called the Discovery Cup tournament in which you were the coach.“The said players claim that you promised them appearance fees, winning bonuses and proper upkeep during the tournament which was never fulfilled, The Union is disappointed, if ever this is true, as it indicates the continued exploitation of players by people who must be offering players a place of refuge.“We demand that you write to us a report on your role in this trip or tournament participation within 48 hours and you must appreciate the Football Association and Sports and Recreation Commission’s positions regarding participating in illegal sporting trips outside the country,” wrote Fuz secretary-general Paul Gundani.Dhlakama never responded to the letter and a member of Fuz later made a follow up by telephone and the association was told, “to go an report wherever they wanted”.Fuz has also written to Zifa saying the matter ‘must be fully investigated and culprits disciplined. Our football does not need controversy at the moment and all stakeholders must be put their efforts in the development of the game. Officials must not capitalise on the desperate circumstances of players to promote their selfish agendas”Dhlakama said he never travelled to South Africa with the select team but admitted that he facilitated in the selection of players who he said were put of contract in their respective clubs.“I never travelled with select team to South Africa  I was trying to assist these young boys who had gone out of contract. The boys were always complaining to me that they had no money so I decided to pave way for them to take part in the Discovery Cup so that they get something. The tournaments are winners take all, the boys had to win for them to get money otherwise I do not owe anyone some money,” Dhlakam said.He added that two players who took in the tournament Talent Maphosa and Tendai Nyamadzawo have actually found homes in South Africa. He  said he saw it not necessary to even seek clearance from Zifa or SRC.Dhlakama is the former Zimbabwe Under 17 coach, Monomotapa and is currently the Shooting Stars director of coaching.Acting Zifa chief executive officer said …….

List of the squad that traveled to South Africa:Maxwell Nyamupangedengu, Solomon Mangwaya, Blessing Mazorodze, Charles Mutero, Talent Maphosa,  Tapiwa Khumbuyana, Morgan, Daniel Kamunenga, Martin Vengesayi, Eddie Chitato, Hasmonia Ziso, Tendai NyamadzawoCoaches: Rodwell Dhlakama and Collins Mahara