CAPS UTD burning June 10, 2014 Sport Augustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter— A GROUP of disgruntled CAPS United fans raided the home of club administrator Morton Dodzo and threatened to assault him on Sunday night as the situation at the troubled giants showed the first signs of deteriorating into an ugly crisis. The supporters wanted Dodzo to answer questions as to why he hadn’t paid the players their May salaries, which they blamed for the club’s latest defeat — a 0-3 hiding at the hands of Chapungu at Ascot on Saturday. CAPS United players haven’t been paid their May salaries as the club battles financial challenges and the fans believe the Green Machine’s championship drive this year could be damaged if their team’s financial woes are not resolved. CAPS United are only six points behind leaders Highlanders, after the first of three legs in the marathon, but have been poor on the road where they have lost four times and drawn once in their last five matches. On Saturday a brace from Rodwell Mhlanga and a wonder strike by Gift Phiri, who ironically played for CAPS United last season, gave Chapungu maximum points. Zimbabwe international midfielder Hardlife Zvirekwi took matters into his own hands, highlighting the challenges facing the club and decided against going to Gweru to play for his club in protest over non- payment of bonuses. Dynamos’ win over Triangle at the National Sports Stadium on Sunday, which took the Glamour Boys five points clear of their Harare rivals, appears to have rubbed salt into the wounds of CAPS United fans. A militant group raided Dodzo’s home in Warren Park and issued a number of threats. Dodzo has since made a police report to Warren Park Police Station as he now fears for the safety of his family. “There were eight guys who came to my house and demanded to see me. They were asking questions like why we have not paid the players and how much we owe them,” said Dodzo. “It was clear that they were not friendly and I was threatened but, luckily, I was unharmed.” Dodzo was given a reference number RRB 2075326 at the police station and said he was concerned about his safety. “They asked why the team was losing. I could see that some of them were drunk and they confronted me just after the end of the other Sunday matches. “They said they were going to return and deal with me if the team loses the next match,” said Dodzo. Yesterday, the club acknowledged that they owed their players salaries and were hoping to find a solution to the challenges, conceding that they were having a negative effect on their performance on the field. “We are working out best ways possible to relieve the burden off our players and make it conducive for them to fully participate on the field of play,” CAPS United marketing and communications executive Joyce Kapota said in a statement. “We are struggling financially, just like most companies in this difficult economy, but we are working flat out to give our players what we owe them. We owe them their May salaries. “The board and management are working on a greater financial plan. As a non-profit making organisation, we are working on a business plan that will yield long-term results. “We are appealing to our supporters and various stakeholders to be patient as we are working on a turnaround strategy and it is not an event, but it’s a process. “We also appeal to our players to remain focused and committed for our brand and the Makepekepe cause and for the sake of our supporters whom we love and cherish so much.” CAPS United National Supporters’ Association leaders Stan Pindiri and Onias Matsika condemned the ugly incidents and the threats issued to Dodzo. Matsika said the operating ronment was tough and the club was bearing the brunt and urged the fans to use proper channels to register their concerns. CAPS United coach Taurai Mangwiro yesterday said he was not aware of threats made towards the club’s official but was quick to appeal for patience from the fans. “Maybe the manager (Luis Maio) or the board could be the right people to respond to that but I appeal to our supporters to be patient with us,” said Mangwiro. “We are trying our best but the environment is difficult now because the players are disgruntled. “Everyone is not happy but that should not be an excuse for the poor results. It’s not only Hardlife who is unhappy but maybe he was the only one who decided to protest in that way. “The problem on Sunday was that we conceded an early goal and instead of fighting for a win, we had to chase the game. The league is getting competitive and most of the teams are also capitalising on home matches. “We have been trying new strategies on every away game but it is not working out and we have to change. In the last match, we had two defensive midfielders but an early goal (third minute) in the game, was conceded. “Looking at the match, we had a bigger say in the game but we could not score and for the third goal, I cannot take anything away from Gift Phiri. Few people expected him to pull the trigger from such a distance and with such accuracy.” Mangwiro believes the Premiership race is still to take shape at this stage. “This season has seen team picking up most points at home we need to do that against Shabanie,” said Mangwiro. “We also need to win on the road and all we need is a breakthrough of nine to 10 matches without a defeat. “I have been in worse situations before and managed to get good runs. My appeal is for the fans not to be impatient.”
Posted on: Tue, 10 Jun 2014 07:42:06 +0000
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