It was meant to be a day to remember, but it ended in tears when Mighty Wanderers president Thomson Mpinganjira blasted his players, accusing them of loving money.
Mpinganjira also accused senior players of refusing to take penalties and instructed coaches, board members, and supporters to deal with them if they decline to take penalties again.
This was said last night in Blantyre during a presidential ball award ceremony, where outstanding Mighty Wanderers players were recognized for their performances in the just-ended season.
Wanderers won the league for the first time in eight years, prompting the president to organize the event for the second time. Senior team players, reserves, and the women’s team were all in attendance and received awards.
When the president was given the platform to address the gathering, he immediately turned his attention to the players, accusing senior members of refusing to take penalties.
“Coaches have told me that senior players are refusing to take penalties, why is that so?” started Mpinganjira, calling on one senior player to stand.
“Where is [Stanley] Sanudi? Can you stand up? Why are you not taking on penalties? I don’t want to hear that again. If any player that will refuse to take a penalty in the club’s matches will not receive game bonuses for the entire season. I do not want to see that happening again next season,” he said.
If you want money, win more trophies – Mpinganjira
Mpinganjira then accused his players of loving money too much and warned that any player who continues to raise issues about money will be disciplined.
He said some players had been writing letters to him asking for money, something he described as nonsense.
“That is nonsense and I want that to stop now. If you want money then you could win more trophies. I do not want to see this again and this nonsense must stop now,” he said.
Wanderers players have reportedly been asking club officials for prize money for winning the league, but the request was turned down, with the club claiming they had already been adequately rewarded. they already gave them enough.
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