Royal AM captain Samuel Manganyi has opened up on the chaos brewing at Thwihli Thwahla due to players’ unpaid December salaries amid claims from the club’s hierarchy that outstanding payments have been settled.

The KZN-based outfit has been making the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent seasons – from the FIFA imposed transfer ban due to their ongoing financial dispute with former striker Samir Nurkovic, whom they are believed to be owing R15 million.

Moreover, club President Shauwn Mkhize allegedly owes the South African Revenue Services (SARS) a large sum of money in the region of R40 million in tax debt, putting the club in disarray in addition to other assets.

According to a statement released by Chippa United on Monday night, Royal AM asked the Premier Soccer League (PSL) to reschedule their upcoming match against the Chilli Boys, with the Eastern Cape side claiming they were not informed of the reasons behind the postponement.

“To be honest, what’s happening at the club is not fortunate, as players what we have to do is get into the field of play and do our job, that’s all,” Manganyi said when asked about the unrest and uncertainty surrounding the club.

When pressed to clarify whether the management has made player payments, the Royal AM skipper didn’t provide a clear answer that would support the club’s claims that issues have been ironed out.

“At the current moment I’d be lying, no comment, no comment I cannot say I’m sure,” he said.

Manganyi, who has been at the club since their maiden season in the top-flight division, went on to urge his teammates to remain strong and keep doing their jobs as he believes the dire situation will change for the better.

“I think in life when there are challenges, you need to be strong because you don’t know when good is coming and when bad is coming. So, for us players, we need to be strong and soldier on, I think soon things will be fine,” the 37-year-old urged.

Following the Nedbank Cup draw where they were drawn against Motsepe Foundation Championship side Milford FC, the centre-back has warned against taking the second-tier team lightly as a last-16 spot is at stake.

“I think the draw is very interesting because we are playing a KZN derby, so playing against Milford will be a good game. What we need to do is not to take them lightly because they play in the lower league, we need to go there and fight like when we’re playing any team in the PSL,” Manganyi stated.