Zim soccer at risk

The increasing problems wreaking havoc among Zimbabwean soccer players is a discouragement looking at the dispensation we are in today. Such situations have allowed explosion of fresh waves of problems among big teams up to the national level in the local scene, which is triggering boycotts and absconding of training.

The coaches are failing to contain their emotions, as they narrate the challenges facing their clubs and how the problems are compromising the smooth execution of their duties.

It’s a sad story to the Zimbabwean local players who dream to be prominent footballers of the day as the football scene in our country cannot uplift anyone from the ground or make any one live a luxurious life. The future is dark for footballers whereas abroad soccer players own the world which Zimbabwean players dream of.

Local coaches are facing dilemmas like lack of commitment among players since they are not getting salaries after duty thus it can be a dream which never come true as coaches are failing to build solid teams that could compete at home and on the continent among other tournaments.

Already, Zimbabwean national team has lost precious time in competing with other teams in International friendly matches, tournaments such as the Africa Cup Of Nations of this year, World Cup for 2010 and only to mention but a few not because there are no talents in our country but the issue of salaries demotivates them to an extent that a soccer player chooses to quit football going for other professions.
It’s a battle to find the right combination for the national team since players are nomadic in search of greener pastures and better payments.

There have been explosions of problems at camps, training sessions among the executive committees and players as they refuse to train, in protest over their outstanding salaries always pending with unfulfilled promises
One deed accomplished is better than 100 unfulfilled promises but for Zimbabwean clubs and their executives it is the tune of all the moments. Players have become adamant to implement their commitment to soccer or their clubs and that they will not train until they are paid leaving coaches with no option but to cancel the sessions.

The Dynamos coach Elvis Chiweshe has faced such problems when his team failed to attend a training session demanding to get their unpaid salaries and also on the 09 of February 2010 Senior Lengthens players went on strike.
The players have demanded that they be paid outstanding salary arrears before they can fulfill their duty on the field of play.

Coaches in Zimbabwe such as Sunday Marimo Chidzambwa have in many occasions complained about unpaid salaries and currently he is at juncture of quitting as there are figures amounting to $50 000 while Jose Valinhosi went with his salaries pending only to mention a but few, without the passion no one could have raised the talent in our country..

It’s hard to persuade a player to train and keep his focus when he isn’t happy about not being paid,
Gone are the days players used to play for popularity, and nowadays footballers are now playing for earning a living.

Players know and understand that things won’t change overnight but there should be something tangible to raise their hopes unlike pretending as if they have millions of dollars when they don’t.
Football is changing fast, both at home and around the world, but if the Zimbabwean football does not change and are not ready to embrace the changes, they would be left behind for good.

Why Zimbabwe? Is it because we don’t have money to offer our players and their associations like now the Premier League is crippling with financial burden which is threatening the soccer zone? Still the question will remain unanswered.

I think Zimbabwean players have been patient enough and some don’t have options but to remain in the local football for the sake of their clubs and the interests of the supporters who back them, ahead of everything else.