Fallout in Brave Warriors camp
Southern Region Football League (SRFL) Premier Division side Brave Warriors have been thrown in turmoil and face total meltdown following a fallout between players and management.
Warriors are credited with producing some of the current exciting players in the top-flight Super League such as Big Bullets’ star forward Gabadinho Mhango and Mighty Wanderers’ enterprising winger Gerald Phiri Jnr.
In a latest development, some of the players are demanding the resignation of one of their directors, George Kapachika, whom they accuse of failing to run the club.
In a letter addressed to the league’s general secretary, the players have expressed dismay that they recently failed to travel to Mwanza for a fixture against Mwanza Eagles after Kapachika allegedly informed them that the game had been postponed because Eagles had lost one of their officials. The players claim the information was not true.
“As a result of this, we lost points through a boardroom decision. It was pathetic,” reads part of the letter signed by players Richard Nkhelele and Harry Bikoko, among others.
SRFL vice-general secretary Kingsley Simbeye confirmed the development on Tuesday.
“Warriors indeed failed to travel to Mwanza for the game. We learnt later on from the players that Mr. Kapachika had informed them that the game had been postponed due to a funeral. They lost the game for failing to show up,” said Simbeye.
He also confirmed that the league has received a letter from Warriors players demanding the resignation of Kapachika.
But Simbeye said the league is going ahead to allocate games for Warriors, who are now second from the bottom of the table.
Jere accused Kapachika of arrogance.
“You would recall that the team was started by Bullets Holdings Limited (BHL), but along the way, most of the directors such as Gedion Kalumbu-Phiri, Harry Mtuwa and Willie Phalula left due to other commitments and together with Mr. Kapachika, we took over the management of the team,” said Jere.
He said at first, things were on track and they managed to finish fourth in the league.
“But things got out of hand in recent times because of Kapachika’s attitude that led to the resignation of the rest of the management,” said Jere.
He said, among other things, Kapachika was not happy that management opted for Mabvuto Lungu to take over as coach instead of Richard Mambelera who was Kapachika’s choice.
“Now, the players are pleading with us to return because they are not happy with Mr. Kapachika’s management style and the Mwanza Eagles issue was just one of their grievances,” said Jere.
Kapachika dismissed the claims on Tuesday.
“What I can say is that I was part of the founding directors of this team and I am not going to be reduced to a puppet by a few misguided players and selfish individuals.
“I have shares in BHL and it is a registered company. I cannot, therefore, dance to the tune of a few disgruntled individuals,” said Kapachika.
However, he could not be drawn to comment on allegations that he lied to the players about the funeral in Mwanza.
