Dwangwa United players get K10,000 each for entire season
By Isaac Salima:
As some local players are enjoying the festive season after getting hefty salaries and bonuses, it is worlds apart as Dwangwa United have paid their players K10,000 each after staying the whole season without pay.
In contrast, top teams such as Silver Strikers and Nyasa Big Bullets pay each player K50,000 as a game bonus for a win.
Dwangwa vice-Captain, Ganizani James, on Wednesday said it was unfortunate that they toiled in vain for the entire season.
“Our officials have been promising us our dues but we have finished the whole season without getting paid. It is only few days ago when they gave us K10,000 each and transport money to our respective homes. It is sad that after offering our best, we are returning home with just K10,000,” James said.
He said it was very unlikely that players would return to the team next season.
“It is true that the team lacks sponsorship but we need to be paid. I don’t think that my colleagues will be interested in returning to Dwangwa next season,” James said.
Each player for Dwanga gets K15,000 for a win and monthly upkeeps vary from K50,000 to K80,000 each for a squad of 30 players.
Dwangwa Chairperson, Anold Zenizeni, admitted that all was not well in the team, adding that their debt is now K50 million.
“I feel sorry for the players but there is nothing we can do. We wish we had given them all their money but we don’t have sponsors. We will be meeting shortly to discuss the future of the team. I don’t think the team will continue,” Zenizeni said.
Despite sailing through financial turbulence, Dwangwa survived relegation in the league.
Dwangwa’s traditional sponsors, Illovo Sugar Company, this year announced that they had stopped assisting the team.
Dwangwa assistant Coach, Ladwell Mbetewa, said they might have to rely on new players from the estate league in the event that the current ones join other teams.
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