By ELIAS CHIPEPO –
‘MEN At Work’ Diggers has slapped one-year bans on three of its senior players for gross indiscipline.
The affected players are Fine Chikumbi, Ackim Mushota and Jesse Mazabuka but have been given 14 days to appeal against their bans while suspensions for Beneya Mukwamba and Willie Mukuka have been lifted.
However, despite the reprieve, Mukwamba found himself in soup after missing Saturday’s National Rugby League (NRL) Week Two match against Chibuluma which Diggers ended up losing 16-12.
Diggers coach Robertson ‘Plough’ Kang’ongwe said that the club will not tolerate indiscipline and will ensure that all erring players were dealt with severely for trying to promote confusion.
Kang’ongwe said in an interview that it was sad that the players were been used by some ‘greedy’ members to remove the Chileshe Bweupe led executive committee from office.
The decision to ban the senior players was arrived at after they disrupted Diggers Rugby Club annual general meeting that was to be held two weeks ago in Kitwe.
“It is sad that some senior players are being used by some members who want to assume office illegally. The players disrupted the AGM and have also boycotted training and playing for the team. But we shall not be cowed by indiscipline and all those who want to bring anarchy shall be dealt with,” he said.
Kang’ongwe, who had to rely on six Under-18 players to make up the team that lost to Chibuluma, said allowing unruliness in the club would be the downfall of the club.
“It is better to lose with these kids than allowing these indisciplined players to play. It is sad that some players have accepted to be paid by some members who want to take over office illegally,” he said.