By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
Local football players are appealing to authorities to expedite the return of the Premier Soccer League, as the break is threatening their livelihoods.
In a video released by Footballers Union of Zimbabwe (FUZ) last week, captioned ‘Please Bring Back Football’ players expressed their resentment displeasure over the prolonged domestic league break.
It is almost one year now since government suspended the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League (CLPSL) competition.
This is a result of the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak, which forced government to enforce strict lockdown regulations in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.
The suspension of football has left a number of players, who have no alternative source of income wallowing in poverty.
Most players have been forced to engage in other income generating activities in order to fend for themselves.
In the FUZ video, players pleaded with the responsible authorities to seriously consider the resumption of football.
Warriors international midfielder, Marshall Munetsi who is currently plying his trade in France playing for Stade de Reims, posted on his Facebook page, a file photo showing local footballers celebrating after victory.
“The people that create beautiful and happy moments as depicted in the image also need to be happy and that comes from playing football, earning and being able to put food on the table for their families #bringbackfootballinzim,” reads the caption.
Dynamos defender, Patson Jaure said football was their profession and he pleaded with authorities to have the league resumed.
Former Caps United skipper, Dominic Mukandi said some of the players might up becoming thieves to erk a living.
Highlanders striker Bukhosi Sibanda said the players were not getting any younger and it would be difficult to secure international deals.
Warriors and Chicken Inn defender, Ian Nekati said things were not looking good Zimbabwean footballers who had been turned into vendors selling groceries from the back of their cars on the black market.
Last week, the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation, Kirsty Coventry hinted on the possible return of sporting activities in the country.
She said the sporting activities would return once national associations had proven they would follow WHO and government guidelines.
