The be MOBILE Premier League game between Extension Gunners and Police XI scheduled for SSKB Stadium in Mogoditshane this afternoon hangs in the balance.
The Peleng giants have written to the Botswana Premier League (BPL) office asking for the postponement of the fixture following their players’ failure to turn up for training in the past two weeks. Gunners’ players have downed the tools following the club’s failure to pay them in the past two months. It was only on Wednesday when only 14 players showed up for training with the exception of the senior players.
This is not the first time Gunners’ players have boycotted training this season over unpaid dues.
“It’s true that we’ve not been training. The management is not taking us seriously because nobody has explained why we’ve not been paid. I think this time around they’re going to be embarrassed because we’re not going to play without being paid,” said one player on Friday.
Gunners’ chairman William Maboane confirmed that they have not been able to pay the players because of their poor financial situation. He said that since his committee came into office, they have not been able to complement the gate-takings by coming up with other fund-raising initiatives.
“We’ve written to the Premier League asking for a postponement but they have not responded. We have enquired if they can give us an advance but still we’ve not received any response,” said Maboane.
He pointed out that it will be very difficult for them to perform under the circumstances.
BPL chief executive officer Bennett Mamelodi said that his office does not have any rights to call off Gunners’ fixture.
“The board has the authority to change their fixture and I don’t see that happening. As for an advance, it’s not going to be possible either so the best thing for them is to come with a solution,” said Mamelodi.
Reports indicate that Gunners are likely to lose several players come the end of the season if the situation does not change.
Captain Ofentse Mmipi, Boitshoko Zikhale, Maano Ditshupo, goalkeeper Raphael Nthwane, Oteng Moalosi and Kerapetse Mosimanekgosi are some of the players said to be targeted by other clubs.
