Gumbo receives handsome bonus

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Wednesday June 30, 2010 00:00

 

Although the exact amount could not be established, Mmegi Sport understands that the Zimbabwean coach pocketed P150,000 for winning both the be MOBILE Premier League and the Coca-Cola Cup.

Gumbo's contract reportedly states that if he wins any competition, he gets 10 percent of the prize money. The be MOBILE Premier League title carries a P1 million top prize while winners of the Coca-Cola Cup get P500,000. The coach confirmed that the club gave him what was agreed on when they signed the contract in September 2008.

'I was given what we agreed on when we signed a contract,' he told Mmegi Sport.  Rollers' chairman, Spencer Mmui could not be drawn into disclosing figures.  But he said the coach got a certain percentage of the prize monies. If the 10 percent reports are accurate, then the former Zimbabwe Warriors' coach got P100,000 for winning the league title and P50,000 for the Coke Cup. But while Gumbo is enjoying the windfall, Rollers is facing trouble from players because of a dispute over bonuses.

The players are yet to get bonuses for winning the double. The club management has told them that paying bonuses is not an obligation. Apparently, the players have been told that they will be given 'something' at the end of this month.

Rollers' managing director, Sommerset Gobuiwang recently told Mmegi Sport that the management will decide on what to give players. 'A football team is run by management; the decision is management's so we will decide [on] what to give the players. 

I should think we have agreed to give them bonuses. It is entirely upon us to determine what we will give them,' he stressed. The players reportedly want to share half of the prize money. Meanwhile, Rollers is keen to open negotiations to extend Gumbo's contract before the start of the new season.

The well-travelled mentor signed a two-year deal in September 2008. Gaborone United who are in search of a coach after the departure of David Bright, are reportedly eyeing Gumbo, who has won league titles in three countries.

'My contract ends in September and we should be getting into negotiations with the club's management for a new deal,' Gumbo said. He added: 'I have heard that GU is interested in me but I cannot confirm that because no one has approached me'.