Twine might walk away September 24, 2014 TWINE PHIRI, one of the most powerful people in Zimbabwe football, says he could walk away from the sport after being battered by a hurricane of negativity which has severely dented his good standing in the national game. The Harare businessman, who is the CAPS United president, told The Herald yesterday that recent developments, in which his name has been dragged in the mud at his Premiership club, had hurt him badly. Phiri said he was considering his future in domestic football where he also wears the hat of Premier Soccer League chairman, blaming the blaze of negative publicity for poisoning his relationship with a game that has been a big part of his life since he acquired the CAPS United franchise at the turn of the millennium. The PSL boss said it was unfortunate that all the good things that he has done to develop Zimbabwean football were being buried under an avalanche of negative stuff related to the challenges that were facing CAPS United and issues related to his personal life. “I have done a lot for Zimbabwe football but I get the feeling that people don’t appreciate what I have done because all that is being written about me is this negative stuff and I feel this is very unfair,” said Phiri. “I have been wondering, in recent days, whether it is worth it to continue working in an environment where my name continues to be dragged into the mud everyday. “I feel it is probably better for me to step aside, to leave this game, because maybe that is the only way that I can save my reputation from being hammered left, right and centre everyday. “I think I have done a lot to help our football, both for the PSL and for CAPS United, but there appears to be a grand effort to ignore all that and concentrate on whatever negative things that come about and I see that I have become a punching bag.” The Green Machine has been hit by player revolts, in recent weeks, with players demanding their outstanding dues, which some of the fans blame for the way the team’s championship challenge has stalled in recent weeks. CAPS United fans reacted violently on Sunday when the Green Machine settled for a goalless draw against How Mine and blew a golden opportunity to cut the gap, in the championship race, between them and leaders Dynamos to just two points. Phiri appears to also have been incensed when his capacity to run CAPS United was put into question this week after it emerged that he, together with an unnamed accomplice, is set to lose a car and an assortment of office furniture next week for failing to pay a debt owed to a local firm. The Premier Soccer League chairman faces humiliation, in his fallout with Digitech Brand Communications, who took him to court for his failure to settle the debt. Digitech Brand Communications assists clients in developing creative marketing and branding solutions. Phiri did not specifically address the issues that have attracted the media storm, saying that he will do so in due course. “I will address the issues that have been raised when the time is right but I feel that I’m being targeted, for whatever reason I don’t know, but if that is the case then maybe it is better for me to just walk away from football because my name cannot continue to be tarnished like this,” said Phiri. “As a man you can take the attacks for some time but there comes a time when you say that this is too much and you have to consider what is best for yourself and for your family because this is just a game and we don’t need to tarnish each other. “There are challenges everywhere in this country and I have my challenges and I have not pretended that I have lots of money to run CAPS United but I have been trying, in a difficult economic environment, to keep the team moving. “It’s not easy nowadays to do that because things have not been smooth sailing in the economy and money is hard to come by these days. “We have seen it with what has happened to the other clubs that have folded up that it’s not easy to run a football club and to do so for more than 10 years is actually an achievement and I knew that there would be tough days but I didn’t think that it would attract such negative media backlash. “I have never felt this bad, to tell you the truth, and maybe the best way is for me to just walk away from the game. “I have been receiving a lot of counselling and one of the people, an elderly man who is a life-long CAPS United supporter, told me that maybe it’s best that I just leave football. “I will talk to my family and make a decision but I’m not happy because I feel I have done a lot for our football and deserve better treatment.” Digitech Brand sought legal recourse and won their two cases against Phiri, leading to the attachment of the property by the Messenger of Court. One of the cases involves a debt of US$1 920 while the other case, and the magnitude of the debt involved, could not be established but that a Land Rover vehicle was attached appears to suggest that it could be substantial. A debt of US$1 920 is equivalent to a month’s salary of two players at CAPS United. Phiri, through his company Twin Con, and an unidentified accomplice, owe Digitech Brand Communications. A Land Rover Freelander vehicle, registration number ABG 9517, is part of the property set to go under the hammer at a public auction by Ruby Auctions next week. The other property includes an HP office-jet premium printer, wooden display unit, round table, three-piece Dell computer set, four swivel chairs, WRS television, HP laptop, four drawer wooden cabinet, dismantled table, two office desks and two wooden cabinets.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 05:35:16 +0000
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