Stars players in pay dispute

AFRICAN Stars players are at loggerheads with the team’s management following a payment dispute after the ‘Samba Boys’ won the lucrative MTC/NFA Cup final a fortnight ago.

African Stars defeated township rival Orlando Pirates on penalties to clinch N$350 000 while runners-up Orlando Pirates took home N$130 000. The payment dispute started when some players were offered more money than others, which angered some players.African Stars skipper Andrew Tjahikika confirmed the dispute, adding that the players wanted to know the criteria followed in implementing the unjustifiable payment procedure.According to Tjahikika, the African Stars management promised to reward the players handsomely once they reached the final and won the tournament.”The players want to know the criteria implemented to determine the payment.There is a player who played the final but did not receive any remuneration compared to one other player who benched but was paid N$500,” said the defender.He said the highest-paid player was to receive N$2 500, which did not augur well for some players.”Players are demanding N$4 500 from the management.If that demand is not met, the African Stars management must anticipate an exodus of players next season,” threatened Tjahikika.In the attempt to resolve the problem amicably, the players have requested for a meeting with the club’s management, which was due at the St Barnabas Primary School in Katutura yesterday evening.Stars team manager could not comment on the issue and refereed queries regarding the payment to club chairman Mbakumua Hengari.Hengari could not be reached for comment.The MTC Cup was the team’s biggest victory in over ten years, while it was also it also served as the biggest in terms of monetary value.Stars are currently carrying out their league obligations without a sponsor and the management of the team paid for most expenses over the seasons, apart from the N$20 000 start-up capital injection it receives from the Namibia Premier League at the start of each season.NampaThe payment dispute started when some players were offered more money than others, which angered some players.African Stars skipper Andrew Tjahikika confirmed the dispute, adding that the players wanted to know the criteria followed in implementing the unjustifiable payment procedure.According to Tjahikika, the African Stars management promised to reward the players handsomely once they reached the final and won the tournament.”The players want to know the criteria implemented to determine the payment.There is a player who played the final but did not receive any remuneration compared to one other player who benched but was paid N$500,” said the defender.He said the highest-paid player was to receive N$2 500, which did not augur well for some players.”Players are demanding N$4 500 from the management.If that demand is not met, the African Stars management must anticipate an exodus of players next season,” threatened Tjahikika.In the attempt to resolve the problem amicably, the players have requested for a meeting with the club’s management, which was due at the St Barnabas Primary School in Katutura yesterday evening.Stars team manager could not comment on the issue and refereed queries regarding the payment to club chairman Mbakumua Hengari.Hengari could not be reached for comment.The MTC Cup was the team’s biggest victory in over ten years, while it was also it also served as the biggest in terms of monetary value.Stars are currently carrying out their league obligations without a sponsor and the management of the team paid for most expenses over the seasons, apart from the N$20 000 start-up capital injection it receives from the Namibia Premier League at the start of each season.Nampa