HARARE - All is not well in the Mighty Warriors camp ahead of their 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations final qualifying round tie against Zambia tomorrow amid reports that players have not yet been paid their bonuses.
Sources within the Mighty Warriors camp revealed to the Daily News that morale is low in the squad as players are still owed money stretching back to last year’s Cameroon match when the team qualified for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games.
Despite the association’s claims that they have settled the Mighty Warriors’ outstanding dues, the Daily News has learnt the team only received $50 each after knocking out Tanzania out of the qualifiers last month.
Prior to their second-leg against Tanzania, the Mighty Warriors boycotted training in protest over their outstanding allowances.
The players are currently camping at the Zifa Village where they were also forced to train instead of the match venue at Rufaro Stadium as the association is failing to secure transport.
Contacted for comment Zifa chief executive Jonathan Mashingaidze refused to answer questions posed to him, saying he was getting into a meeting.
Efforts to contact him later proved fruitless as his mobile went unanswered.
Mighty Warriors coach Shadreck Mlauzi refused to comment on the current situation in the camp and instead chose to focus on their match against Shepolopolo tomorrow at Rufaro.
“I am not the right person to talk about that (team allowances), maybe if you can get hold of my bosses they will give you a clearer picture,” Mlauzi said.
On their pending match against Zambia tomorrow, Mlauzi said they were looking at securing a comfortable lead before Sunday’s return leg in Lusaka.
“We are looking forward to have a positive result,” said Mlauzi. “It would be good if we can manage a comfortable victory so that by the time we travel to Zambia the job will be half done. We should not concede at home.”
Mlauzi added: “They are a good side. Last time they knocked us out and I think they will be buoyed by that. But I think since then we have improved a lot and we will give everything to ensure we qualify.”