Zimbo soccer stars stranded in Botswana

Sport
Botswana-based Thulani Moyo and Raphael Kutinyu were last week thrown out of their lodge after their club Notwane Football Club failed to settle their bills

GABORONE — Botswana-based Thulani Moyo and Raphael Kutinyu were last week thrown out of their lodge after their club Notwane Football Club failed to settle their bills.

Mtokozisi Dube Own Correspondent

The two find themselves in a similar predicament as the former Bafana Bafana pair of Bennedict “Tso” Vilakazi and Manqoba “Shakes” Ngwenya after the club failed to pay salaries and bonuses for three months.

Vilakazi and Ngwenya also turn out for the Gaborone club.

Moyo, a former Mwana Africa defender, told Southern Eye Sport they were still waiting for the club owner Gift Mogapi to return from a trip.

Mogapi recently bought Notwane and is said to be away on an international business trip. His management has said they are waiting for him to return and straighten out the mess.

“He is still not back, no one knows when he will be back to sort all this out,” Moyo said.

Yesterday Moyo received his international transfer certificate, which allows him to join a club of his choice, while Kutinyu could not get his.

The national Under-20 attacker’s contract was not endorsed by the Botswana Football Association and can only be issued a clearance with Mogapi’s consent.

“I got my clearance and will be leaving for Zimbabwe tomorrow (today). I don’t see the reason why I should sit in Botswana when I can go for three months without getting my dues,” Moyo said.

The Botswana Footballers’ Union is presently accommodating the four players at a Gaborone lodge while they wait for Mogapi’s return.

The union’s spokesperson, Kgosana Masaseng, said they were making arrangements for the four to travel back to their respective countries.

However, Kutinyu’s situation is a bit different as Mogapi held on to his residence and work permits. He will need to produce those at the border should he want to return to Zimbabwe.

Notwane players have boycotted training since last week Tuesday.