The Sunday News
Innocent Kurira , Sports Reporter
ARENEL Movers trained once in the week preceding their 2-2 draw against FC Platinum as players went on strike over money issues.
The club has since its Division One days been having challenges with finances.
While players insist all is not well and confirm that they did not train, the club management is singing another tune.
Arenel let slip a 2-0 lead and conceded two very late goals as fatigue and lack of concentration crept in to force a 2-2 draw.
The club’s financial muscle has always been in question, especially since they struggled to pay players during their Southern Region Division One promotion campaign last year.
One would have thought things would be better in the top-flight league but the dust is still to settle.
This past week, the club paid part of the money they owe players and they had a normal week’s training programme for their away game against ZPC Kariba.
Arenel administrator, Juma Phiri, confirmed that there were problems with finances that led to late payment of players’ dues.
“Everything is in order. The team trained the whole of this week. The players and technical team are all happy. Yes, there was a slight delay on payments, which caused problems the other week and all that has been dealt with,” said Phiri.
Last month, Arenel had referees stopping their league game when it was discovered police cover had been withdrawn. It emerged that the club had not paid the cops for the services rendered at a previous match.
Asked if this is the end of players downing their tools, Phiri confidently said all is well.
“We are ready to compete in this league. Some things we are still learning but everything is in order,” said Phiri.
A source close to proceedings at the club said the situation is calm for now.
“After that week, where the team trained once, the players have since been paid part of their salary. The club is now owing two months’ dues. Part of that has been paid and the mood in the camp has been positive since,” said the source.
Arenel has had its fair share of financial problems leading to their promotion to the Premiership.
The club boasts of a number of veteran players that include combative Moses Jackson, speedy Timothy January, goalkeeper Aaron Ngwenya and ex-Talen Vision striker Grey Kufandada among others. — @innocentskizoe
