Gallants Players Refuse To Train Ahead Of CAFCC Clash

Marumo Gallants players refused to train over alleged financial disagreements with the club on the eve of their important CAF Confederations Cup semi-final second leg against Young Africans.

Gallants have had a heroics run to the CAFCC semi-finals, defying the odds throughout the campaign after topping their group and knocking out rich Egyptian giants Pyramids in the quarter-finals.

Ahead of their second leg against Yanga, they do have a mountain to climb, though, as the Tanzanian side beat them 2-0 in the first leg in Dar es Salam.

However, things have now been made more difficult after players were left unimpressed with minimal bonuses for reaching the final offered by chairman Abram Sello.

The players opted to strike and refused to train in the early afternoon on Tuesday, less than 48 hours ahead of their second leg at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday, as first reported by FarPost.

A source confirmed the strike to iDiski Times, saying the players were infuriated by bonuses of just R1,000 offered in case they could overturn the first-leg defeat.

Gallants have secured themselves $450 000 (R8.25 million) as semi-finalists of the competition and that amount could rise to $625 000 (R11.5 million), should they reach the final – with 10% of that money going to the South African Football Association.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Confederation Cup will take home $1.25 million (R23 million) up for grabs for the winner.

This publication contacted Gallants’ Liaison officer Rufus Matsena but he refused to comment on the matter of the strike, saying he was busy with other responsibilities around the stadium on Tuesday and has not been in contact with the players.

Gallants have since issued a statement on the situation.