Sofapaka players Thursday boycotted training in protest over delay in payment of their salaries and allowances.
The playing staff Thursday arrived at their training venue team of Eastleigh High School, held an impromptu meeting, before departing without working out any sweat.
One of the team members who wished not to be named for fearof victimization, claimed that thesituation is dire in camp.
“Morale is at an all-time low. Wehave not been paid our salaries for the past two months. This group is even owed some Sh8,000 in training allowances, and another Sh17,000 as winning bonuses for our exploits in the GOtv Shield last season,” the Sofapaka member said.
When contacted the team’s owner Elly Kalekwa, said he was unaware of this development, but promised to iron out any issues Friday.
“Yes, the players are owed some monies, but I am not aware they had raised this issue, I am in a meeting at the moment and thus will try and meet the team tomorrow (Friday) so we solve this issue” Kalekwa, who is the club President, said.
The 2009 league champions have gone through a series of financial challenges over the past two seasons, a stark contrast to their earlier days in the Premiership where the club owners managed to lure top stars into their squad with hefty salary offers.
Kalekwa has in previous interviews argued that the overall income accrued by the club from sponsorship and TV rights, as well as gate collections and sale of merchandise, is not enough to sustain their budget.
This development comes barely 48 hours before the team plays league champions Gor Mahia in the Kenya Power Charity Cup semi-final.Gor warmed up for this match with a routine 3-0 thrashing of lower tier outfit Moyas on Tuesday.
Club old boys Rama Salim and George “BlackBerry” Odhiambo, alongside the club’s new vice captain David “Calabar” Owino netted the goals.
AFC Leopards will meet Mathare United in the other match of thisday-long competition to be contested at the Nyayo Stadium.
AFC Leopards coach James Nandwa is grappling with a string of injuries to key players.
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