HARARE - CAPS United coach Taurai Mangwiro has expressed disappointment with the conduct of star midfielder Hardlife Zvirekwi , who went AWOL prior to Saturday’s PSL match against Chapungu.
Zvirekwi missed Makepekepe’s last training ahead of the team’s departure to Ascot Stadium to face Chapungu on Saturday in protest over unpaid salaries and bonuses.
The rest of Zvirekwi’s teammates travelled to fulfil the fixture and went on to lose 3-0 to the air force side with unrest taking its toll in the team.
“As a coach you don’t tolerate behaviour like this,” Mangwiro told the Daily News yesterday.
“He (Zvirekwi) missed the team’s last training session before we left for Gweru. He has not spoken to me. I think I will have to sit down with him and get his side of the story so that we can map the way forward.
“Things are not okay everywhere but you should come to the ground and tell your story. If one skips training without communication then we have a problem.
“I think it’s not fair on the other players. At CAPS United we treat everyone the same way. It’s not the other boys are not concerned about the current situation in the team, but they use channels.”
Mangwiro also called on the club’s fans not to press the panic button as yet.
“Of course we are worried with the rate at which we are losing matches but it’s something that we can work on. I will do my part in the field of play but it’s not my duty only.
“There isn’t much gap between us and the leading pack. If we can work on some few issues our campaign will be back on track. There is no need to start panicking as yet.
“When we lose matches it’s because other teams would have done better than us. Off the field issues is one area which need to be addressed and everything will be fine.”
Meanwhile, the club’s spokesperson Joyce Kapota revealed that the club is working towards addressing the players’ plight.
“We are working out best ways possible to relieve the burden off our players and make it conducive for them to fully participate on the field of play,” Kapota said.
“We are struggling financially just like most companies in this difficult economy but we are working flat out to give our players what we owe them. We owe them their May salaries.
“The Board and Management is working on a greater financial plan. As a non-profit making organisation we are working on a Business Plan that will yield long term results.
“We are appealing to our supporters and various stakeholders to be patient as we are working on a turnaround strategy and it is not an event, it’s a process.”