Outspoken Muzondiwa makes squash team grade
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday November 4, 2022 14:33
When the national team was announced in September, the player was on the list only for him to be removed when the second list was released this week. By Wednesday, the player was again reinstated to the team.
According to information reaching Mmegi Sport, the team management was under pressure to include Muzondiwa in the team as a way of containing him. “It seems like there is more to this decision hence you see these changes that kept happening.
There are some allegations that the player is being used by someone to push their agenda. Muzondiwa was even made team captain and he is too close to the men’s coach, Moses Tshiamonyana,” a source said.
For his part, Muzondiwa told Mmegi Sport that he only learnt about his omission from the team through the media. He said on Tuesday he approached the team manager, Pule Tangane to inquire about the omission. “I was told that the funds were not enough and the player who finished in position four during the selection is not travelling to the championships. I responded by saying, it was fine if number four was not travelling because that was not me.
I informed them that I learnt through Mmegi that I was not travelling and that they had failed to tell me that I was no longer part of the team.
I was even fighting with my employer to grant me leave because the team management had not processed my travel request letter,” he said. Muzondiwa said the leadership might be aware that together with other squash members they are calling for the removal of the executive committee from office.
He said some people are not happy and maybe that is where the discontent comes from. “The more they frustrate me, the more they are giving us the energy to go and do something in line with making changes in the leadership. This thing can be discussed but the way they want to go about it is weird.
On another note, it is not true that Tshiamonyana is using me to push his agenda. It is difficult for me to accept that Tshiamonyana is an instigator,” he said. Muzondiwa said right now there are no shoes and rackets but players are expected to compete.
He said when he questions such things, he is accused of being rude. For his part, Tangane confirmed that Muzondiwa has been included in the team and the entire team is ready to bring out the best performance in Zimbabwe.
He said they have assembled a good team although two key players, Theo Pelonomi and Leungo Katse are not travelling with the team. Pelonomi is in the USA while Katse is sitting for Form 5 final examinations.
Tangane said the team stands a good chance of finishing in position three behind South Africa and Egypt. “The players are ready to compete, the only challenge we have right now is on the administration side, especially the budget. I tried as much as possible to focus on the competition and not be extravagant in spending. Costs rise while the funds are reduced,” Tangane said.
Meanwhile, the women's team comprising Neo Phatsima, Angel Otshebeng, Peo Gosalamang and Chadiwa Moyo will no longer travel to Zimbabwe due to lack of funds.
The team Antonio Tawana, Muzondiwa, Elliot Sibanda and Agang Motlhagodi Coaches: Koketso Ntshebe and Tshiamonyana Physiotherapist: Sthabile Machao