Kruger United Players Urge PSL’s Interventions

Unpaid Kruger United players have urged the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to intervene as they close in on a second consecutive month without receiving their salaries.

The squad last received payments for April in early May. Since then, the club has failed to disburse salaries for May, leaving players increasingly anxious as June draws to a close.

Kruger United secured promotion last season by winning the Motsepe Foundation Championship to reach the Betway Premiership with a few games to spare. However, management’s evasive actions have left the players’ on-field efforts unrewarded.

Striker Kagiso Malinga expressed his deep frustration to Sportswire, stating that he cannot even provide basic groceries for his family despite being a league champion.

Another player, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid club victimization, echoed these sentiments. “I can’t even buy a loaf of bread at home, yet I helped this club gain promotion,” he said. “We feel management simply used us to get what they wanted.”

Compounding the frustration, the club has reportedly paid selected players who are being retained for the upcoming Betway Premiership season, while ignoring those who are departing.

Sportswire understands that head coach Abraham Mongoya allegedly advised management that players who saw limited game time last season should not be paid.

“Whenever payday arrives, we are forced to wait,” a distraught player revealed.

“I have never suffered like this in my life. I urge the PSL to get involved because the club is only looking after the players staying for next season. For those of us who have been released, they have withheld our money.”

The PSL Dispute Resolution Chamber (DRC) has the power to deduct points or freeze PSL grants to be paid to the players.

Sportswire has seen verified screenshots of the club’s official WhatsApp group showing administrator Gift Makhabane removing several individuals. Those axed from the group include Malinga, Khethukuthula Ndlovu, analyst Tshepo Mahao, Kabelo Seriba, Mlungisi Sikhakhane, and Phila Manqele.

“We are no longer even asking for our league-winning bonuses,” a final player added. “We just want our hard-earned salaries so we can leave and find opportunities elsewhere for next season.”

However, general manager Elasto Kapowedza has maintained that players will be paid. But the players feel he is lying.