Scottland FC’s billionaire sponsor Wicknell Chivayo has come down hard on former Kaizer Chiefs striker Knowledge Musona, warning the entire squad that disrespect towards head coach Norman Mapeza will not be tolerated.
The rebuke follows Musona’s early exit in the 53rd minute of Wednesday’s 0-0 draw with Thabo Senong’s FC Platinum at Rufaro Stadium in a midweek league fixture.
Instead of taking his place on the bench, the visibly frustrated former Chiefs forward walked straight down the tunnel, ignoring the routine handshake with his coach, technical team and teammates.
When he returned later in a tracksuit, he was seen embracing members of the FC Platinum bench, including Senong and Reneilwe Letsholonyane. He also appeared to deliberately cut behind Scottland’s technical area, avoiding any contact with Mapeza, the former Chippa United coach.
‘NO ONE IS BIGGER THAN THE TEAM’: KNOWLEDGE MUSONA WARNED
In the post-match interview, Mapeza was asked if there was a rift between him and the revered striker. He replied: “I don’t know what was going through his mind.”
The incident drew widespread criticism on social media and inside the dressing room, where Scottland FC’s team manager, Peter Ndlovu, was said to have called Musona to order.
Chivayo was also clearly irked. Speaking via phone at the team dinner on Thursday night ahead of Sunday’s CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg against Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs, he made his position blunt.
“We want total discipline. You must respect the coach. This is a massive team backed by billionaires. We will not accept that behaviour,” Chivayo said.
“If you don’t respect the coach, you are disrespecting me the sponsor and club president Hon. Scott Sakupwanya. Nobody is bigger than the team. Be humble and show the utmost respect. The coach is your boss. This nonsense of throwing tantrums after being substituted ends now.”
The outburst puts the 36-year-old in the spotlight. He has, however, been a vital cog for Scottland this season, netting 10 goals in 28 matches and is often looked to as a senior voice in the group.
But his influence is now being questioned after what many have labelled an act of defiance. Chivayo stopped short of naming Musona directly, but said the message was “crystal clear to everyone.”
Scottland will be hoping the dressing room fallout is settled quickly, with a place in the next round of the CAF Champions League at stake on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Chivayo has promised the players a R796,000 [US$50,000] package to share for every game they win in the CAF Champions League.
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