Only two weeks ahead of the 2017/18 BTC Premiership, league giants Mochudi Centre Chiefs are found wanting.
The former Premiership champions are battling to convince players to commit to pre season training after club failed to honour contractual agreements.
Sunday Standard has established that the predicament follows the non-settlement of allowances for the club’s newly registered players in time as agreed by the club and the players.
With most of Chiefs new signings registered on the last day of the transfer period, the club had to convince players to sign contracts promising settlement allowance the following week after closure of the transfer period.
After losing a number of players, Magosi were very active in the just ended transfer window, notching a number of well known names into their team.
The star studded list of signatures includes former Nico United skipper Nelson Moreetsi, Lesego Lubinda from Mascom Top 8 champions Jwaneng Galaxy, former Rollers midfielder Lawrence Majawa, Khumoetsile Kufigwa from Orapa United and former Zebras midfielder Thato Ogopotse joining from Gaborone United together with Botshelo Lerato.
However, insiders indicate that scores of the newly registered players have told management they will only oblige to the contractual agreements upon receiving allowances promised.
“Chiefs will be scrapping the bottom of the barrel to raise money for the players P10 000 a piece signing fee. Some of the players would not have signed with Chiefs but were convinced money would be credited into their accounts a week after transfer closure and to date they have received nothing,” a source told Sunday Standard.
The players last week refused to take part in a pre season one day tournament that was played at the Lobatse Sports Complex.
“The team could not travel to Lobatse and issued an ultimatum that they be paid first. It has been a challenge this week to bring players together for training,” the source explained.
Players’ woes are exacerbated by the two warring factions over the control of the team. Despite advice to reconcile, it has emerged that the two factions are failing to reach common ground over the matter.
Commenting on the matter, Chiefs spokesperson Clifford Mogomotsi acknowledged that the team is currently broke but said the team leadership is on top of issues to bring all to order.
“We have mutual agreement with players as issues surrounding some of Chiefs matters are not yet remedied. We don’t have money as we speak but when the money comes the first thing will be to pay the players,” Mogomotsi explained.
“This week at the BTC Premiership launch it was said that teams will be relieved with grants and we are looking at sourcing other funds to support the team. We did not go for major signings this season so that we have a manageable squad and people should not be panicking as there is no turmoil at the club,” the Chiefs Spokesperson concluded.
