Buffaloes FC coffers bleeding

Sport
PREMIERSHIP side Buffaloes FC’s life in the top-flight league is under threat as their players are yet to receive their signing-on fees and salaries

PREMIERSHIP side Buffaloes FC’s life in the top-flight league is under threat as their players are yet to receive their signing-on fees and salaries for the past six months.

By Our Correspondent

Standardsport also learnt that head coach Luke “Vahombe” Masomere missed yesterday’s trip to Bulawayo where they lost 3-1 to Bantu Rovers.

Unconfirmed reports have been linking the nomadic coach to struggling Lowveld side Triangle .

The situation in Buffaloes camp got worse last week after some players were almost chucked out from their lodgings owing to non-payment of their rentals by the club.

The players who nearly faced the wrath of their landlords are mostly those that joined the club at the beginning of the season.

The players sat out during a training session last week as they protested for their outstanding dues.

On Friday there was chaos in the Buffaloes camp after one player (name withheld) disappeared with US$100 that was meant to be shared among five players for their refreshments in their Premiership match against Bantu Rovers in yesterday.

Buffaloes purse has been fat for the past two seasons as they got huge donations from Mbada Diamonds, their principal sponsors. However, the donation for this season is yet to come and the situation has been worsened by the poor attendance of the army side’s home matches.

An insider confirmed to Standardsport yesterday that one player had helped himself, pocketing US$100 which was meant to be shared among five players. The player in question ended up not travelling with the rest of the team to Bulawayo.

“Each player was given $20 and (he) grabbed the opportunity after he was given US$100 to share with other players and disappeared with the money and did not travel to Bulawayo,” said the source.

Masomere who did not travel with the team to Bulawayo said he heard about the money issue.

“l heard about the issue but I was not there. I am not surprised about that because when there is no money, there is no discipline, you can call the secretary general of the team Arnold Gatsi. But what I can tell you is that players need food on the table,” he said.

Arnold Gatsi was not available for comment.

As the financial woes mount in the army side’s camp, reports that secretary general Tendai Chitowa has tendered his resignation for reasons which are not yet clear.

Chitowa, a local businessman in Mutare, was playing a pivotal role at the army side as he would sometimes part with his own money to assist the team.

He however told this publication that he will comment over the matter when he returns from South Africa.

Club Chairman Hlanganiso Matangaidze said he is still waiting for Chitowa to return from South Africa, admitting that their coffers were bleeding.