FZU implores players to innovate

THE Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) has urged its members to look for other survival ways to augment their often meagre earnings from the game.

Most local footballers are struggling to make ends as their clubs are unable to pay salaries due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

The local league failed to kick off in March due to the pandemic, and this has impacted negatively on most clubs’ revenues, most of which rely on gate takings to fund their administration costs including salaries. This has left most players in a quandary.

While FUZ said it appreciates the prevailing financial difficulties caused by coronavirus and implored clubs to honour players’ contracts, the union has urged its members to be innovative and find other ways outside football to make extra money.

“While there is no doubt that football will eventually come back, the economic effects of the COVID-19 are undeniable and paint an uncertain picture on the future of football and some clubs,” FUZ said.

“Some clubs may come out okay but the question is what will happen to the small clubs that rely on gate takings and do not have much sponsorship. This lockdown period has provided an opportunity for football administrators to go back to the drawing board and come up with new strategies which can help them come out strong.

“The same goes to the players, we urge them to start thinking about life after football and have a fall-back plan.”

FUZ also urged clubs to pay the players on time and cushion them from the inflationary environment bedeviling the economy.

Former Dynamos player Gift Saunyama who is currently on the books of Black Rhinos said what players were experiencing now was a glimpse into life post-football careers.

“If there is any lesson that players should take from the last few months, it is the hint of what life post-football would be like lots of time on our hands but not enough resources. We have learnt this firsthand now. For a local footballer, it's almost nigh impossible to save some money as one's earnings are never enough to make ends meet. This is the sad reality of an average professional footballer in Zimbabwe. This then means that most of the players who spend vast amounts of their playing careers locally, will most likely find themselves struggling by the time they decide to retire from the game. That is the reality and plight of the local footballer,” Saunyama said.