Premier Soccer League and Division One players in Harare’s high-density suburbs are routinely violating lockdown restrictions by playing money games, at times, after every two days.
According to The Herald, several high-profile players were involved in what appeared to be a well-organised match where winners pocketed US$120 at Budiriro 3 Community Grounds on Saturday.
One of the players who spoke to the publication on the condition that his identity was not disclosed said they were playing the games for money and to maintain their physical fitness. The player was quoted as saying:
Besides being always used to play football, there are a lot of considerations which you have to take note of.
I might be playing for one of the most respected teams in the country but, look, our salaries have been cut.
It’s a justifiable decision by any measure because we are not rendering the services which we signed contracts for.
But, look, we had been used to having full salaries, as well as other allowances, that come with playing professional football week in, week out.
Some of the notable players involved in the money games include CAPS United midfielder, Blessing Sarupinda, Devon Chafa of Ngezi Platinum Stars, Dynamos’ Barnabas Mushunje, Harare City utility Learnmore Muyambo and ex-Yadah midfielder Wimbikai Kaseke.
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