‘Pay us now or we won’t play!’

Makomborero Mutimukulu

The Zimbabwe Football Association, Zifa, and the Warriors are close to finding each other after a heated night which saw reports emerging that Zimbabwe was mulling pulling out of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations finals.

A stand-off over bonuses has been destabilising the Southern African country’s camp since the start of the tournament on June 21.

However, an agreement on how the monies owed to players will be paid has tentatively been reached with players confirming that they will train tonight in preparation for Sunday’s final group game against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Zimbabwe’s national team soccer players were demanding that the outstanding money be paid in full today.

From the opposing end of the stand-off the country’s beleaguered soccer governing body pleaded to pay the money in instalments with the first tranche expected before close of business today.

That pledge by Zifa saw players withdrawing their threat to boycott their last group encounter.

“We will give Zifa a chance to live up to their word. Tonight we will train but on Saturday we will reassess the situation,” one senior player told ZTN News.

Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela however said that the Warriors will not be pulling out of Africa’s premier football competition.