Anxiety grips Big Three

ANXIETY is threatening to derail pre-season preparations for the country’s traditional giants — Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United — who are pinning their hopes on NetOne renewing their sponsorship deal.

The giants, who are among the few teams in the Premier Soccer League not owned by corporates, were taken under the wings by NetOne last season.

They each received $350 000 to bankroll their campaign.

The funds covered salaries, signing-on fees and other administrative expenses for the clubs. NetOne went a step further to provide playing and training kits before expanding their package to cover two other Premiership clubs — Chapungu and Black Rhinos. Previously, Dynamos and Highlanders were sponsored by BancABC who had built a solid relationship spanning close to eight years. The arrival of NetOne on the scene last year was a big relief to the giants.

They have struggled against well-resourced teams owned by companies like Ngezi Platinum, Chicken Inn, Triangle and champions FC Platinum.

Dynamos have lost an entire squad while CAPS United players last week threatened to down tools.

Highlanders have been rocked by an industrial action twice in the last three weeks with players demanding their dues following delays in the payment of the January salaries.

Bosso sent their players home this week while a plan is being worked out.

The Bosso players forced the club to cancel this week’s training programme, insisting they would only return to training after being paid, at least, their January salaries. CAPS United vice-president, Nhamo Tutisani, visited the team at their training ground at Mt. Pleasant High School last week where he addressed the players after two days of rising tension. Meanwhile, Dynamos legend George Shaya underwent a successful operation at Parirenyatwa hospital where he had one of his legs amputated. Shaya has been under the weather for a long while which has seen him in and out of hospital. But yesterday he underwent surgery and is reported to be now recovering.