Castle Lager Premier Soccer League newcomers Mushowani Stars F.C. (nicknamed Mukanyairi) is on the brink of collapse due to the financial cost of playing in the top flight.
The Mashonaland Central-based club has not been able to pay its players’ salaries and allowances for the past four months.
The club is now appealing for donations from well-wishers to avoid collapse. Club owner and director, Lovemore Nyakasoka, on Wednesday sent an SOS for donations. He said:
We love football and we have the passion to develop the game in the country. That is the reason why we came up with this team.
We want to change lives through the game.
Winning Premiership promotion was one step towards our goal. We thought we would see even much better things coming in the boys’ way.
But it has taken a financial toll on us.
I can tell you that, for four months, the players haven’t received their salaries or bonuses. It is so stressful.
I can’t even stand it. Seeing them every day and knowing they have families to feed makes me heartbroken.
We have been getting promises and pledges from several individuals and corporates but nothing has been delivered as yet.
Nyakasoka revealed that the club has sold some of its property, and now cannot find buyers for what is left.
Mukanyairi now uses Trojan Mine grounds for its home matches having had to travel to Harare for home fixtures at the start of the season.