MOSES Chunga has quit Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (PSL) side Buffaloes just 10 days before the start of the new season, citing the side’s alleged executive incompetence.
BY KENNETH NYANGANI
The controversial and nomadic mentor, who has handled no less than five PSL teams, joined the army side last season, replacing Luke Masomere who is now at How Mine.
It seems financial constraints at Buffaloes had a huge bearing on Chunga’s decision to quit the club with the club’s chairman Hlanganiso Matangaidze, who was paying Chunga’s salary, in trouble after the closure of his Wise Owl Motel almost two weeks ago.
On Monday, Chunga had hinted to NewsDay Sport that he was facing challenges at the club, but yesterday, he finally threw in the towel.
Yesterday, he appeared at the club’s training ground briefly at Mutare Show Grounds and told club captain Jacob Muzokomba that he was no longer the coach of the club. Muzokomba then conveyed the message to the rest of the players.
However, Buffaloes secretary-general Arnold Gatsi said he was not aware of Chunga’s decision to quit the club.
Said Gatsi: “Who told you about that? I am not aware of that. Let me find out and I will call you back.”
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But a player who declined to be named said: “Yes Chunga came at training today (yesterday) and called the captain telling him that he was quitting the club. The reasons were that he (Chunga) cannot work under bad conditions.”
The player added that Chunga accused the club executive of not “taking good care” of the players.
The player said: “The problems started after the Harare City friendly match against us at Sakubva Stadium as we were not given some refreshments and not even a single dollar. The situation got worse when we played Dongo FC last weekend in Rusape.”
The player added that matters came to a boiling point after the Wise Owl Motel, where Chunga stayed, closed shop recently as Chunga requested $100 every week meant for food.
But the money never came Chunga’s way. Information gathered reveals Chunga was being paid $1 500 per month.
Efforts to get a comment from the nomadic coach were fruitless as his mobile phones were continuously unavailable.
Meanwhile, Joseph “Shabba” Takaringofa is expected to take over as the side’s head coach or the soldiers will recall Dongo Sawmills head coach Shadreck Mugurasave back to the army side as he is employed at the Zimbabwe National Army.
But the signs of Chunga quitting the club came very visible after the Harare City friendly match at Sakubva almost two weeks ago when he told journalists that he was only tasked to register three civilian players as the club cited financial challenges.
Chunga, who had more than 10 civilian players at his disposal, was not happy with the decision as most of the players were part of the 2015 season.
