Zebras fly out after allowance standoff

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Tuesday June 4, 2013 00:00

 

However, the issue was settled on Sunday night and the first batch flew out at lunch-time yesterday before five others boarded the plane at 5pm.The delay cost Zebras precious training time in Cairo and they will now head straight to the match venue this evening without a workout.According to information reaching Mmegi Sport from the Egyptian capital, the players got wind that the Egyptians had provided US$25,000 as payment to BFA.

The players then demanded to be paid their allowances from the sum.Upon return from Mauritius, BFA president Tebogo Sebego explained the situation to the players and the impasse was resolved.

Actually, it has emerged that, unlike in the past, BFA has a healthy balance to meet players' demands.'This time around we have an account and it has money to cover allowances for the Ethiopia, Central Africa Republic and Zambia (COSAFA) games,' Sebego said. The US$25,000 will be used to pay appearance fees and the remainder will go into the Zebras' account.Evidence of a health balance sheet was BFA's quick reaction to purchase air tickets after the travelling party missed the Sunday flight.

The tickets cost P160,000.Egypt had initial paid for air tickets but BFA was forced to dig into its coffers after the allowance standoff. Far-reaching ramifications were to follow had the Zebras failed to make the trip.

Egypt had already brought in match officials, sold tickets as well as broadcast rights for the match. Zebras' coach, Stanley Tshosane, who will use tonight's friendly match to fine- tune the squad for the back-to-back World Cup qualifiers, said the setback had affected their preparations.

We were supposed to have trained today (yesterday) in Egypt but we can not cry over spilt milk. The team only trained as a unit this morning (yesterday), but we are prepared,' said Tshosane, who left at 5:00 pm, with one other official and three players. The two groups met in Johannesburg last night to catch a connecting flight to Cairo.