Broke GU, Galaxy wait for Top 8 payments
Mqondisi Dube | Friday February 23, 2018 15:21
GU’s days are increasingly getting darker as they battle to pay their players, who have gone on strike.
This week, GU coach, Rudolfo Zapata said the team had effectively clocked 20 days without training, with players meeting on match day.
The club owes players salaries for more than two months, and the Mascom Top 8 money was eyed as the saviour.
However, a pursuit, which began on February 8, has not delivered the desired results as the payment has not come through.
“No, we have not received the money. Our GM (general manager) has been pursuing the issue,” GU media liaison officer, Katlo Lone said yesterday.
Jwaneng Galaxy general manager, Bobo Moswaane also confirmed they have not received the money although he said they had not made a follow-up with Mascom.
Botswana Premier League (BPL) chief executive officer, Thabo ‘Styles’ Ntshinogang said they are in touch with the sponsor regarding payments.
Mascom chief communications and public relations officer, Tebogo Lebotse-Sebego said as a sponsor, they abide by the agreement, with all monies disbursed.
“Since the inception of the Mascom Top 8, Mascom has abided by the payment terms as set out and agreed by the parties. For this season, this is also something that we have to date abided to.
It is important for Mascom to also state that, to date all the teams travel and hospitality fees have been disbursed for all the stages of the competition including the Finals to be played next weekend,” Lebotse Sebego said.
She said the fees are paid before each stage of the competition.
Meanwhile, GU general manager, Olebile Sikwane has said he is unaware of reports that a certain section of the club is unhappy with the appointment of Boitumelo Nsunge as club chairperson, following the recent resignation of Rapula Okaile.
Sources said Nsunge had been appointed to ensure a smooth transition of the club to former financier, Nikolas Zakhem, who has increasingly been linked with a return following the departure of Okaile.
“I am not aware of such allegations of his proximity to Zakhem. I understand that he is a former player of the club.
However, in relation to court challenge, I think the secretary general, City Senne should be able to comment accordingly. I avoid to shine on GU political and power struggles,” Sikwane said.
Zakhem’s imminent return is seen as the immediate solution to the club’s financial woes, although he has demanded that the club withdraws cases before the courts.