The players of PWD Bamenda who have not won a game in over one month, have called upon the Bamenda public to support them financially.
Skipper Jude Gadinga has told The Herald in Yaounde that the club lost their winning ways because of poor financing.
“We are in real problems. We have been training without money. Consequently, we cannot feed well and our out put has dropped”, Gadinga complained.
“We are suffering. The team has been left in the hands of one man who can not foot all our bills. We are therefore calling on our fans to put money in the club purse so that we keep charge on the title”.
PWD made history on the return to division one this season after they won the first six games.
But in the last nine games, they have harvested only six points out of a possible 27.
Financial problems certainly provoked a crisis which has caused the departure of two coaches. Some players, including Gadinga were suspended. Though the regulars have returned to action, the problems have not been solved.
“We (the players) have resolved to defend the club, hoping that management will compensate our efforts. Players are still owed all kinds of payment. Training fee, signing on fee, house rents, etc”, Gadinga disclosed.
Worst still PWD have no permanent coach. “We virtually train by ourselves, though we get assistance from the provincial coach, Wilfred Tasha and a former PWD player Toguem Jean Baptiste, “Gadinga said.
It was such a battered PWD who took on Canon Yaounde on Sunday for the last day of play in the first round. Little wonder they lost 1-0. The defeat would have been heavier had Canon’s Marcus Mokake not squandered three one-one-one chances.
“It was a great game. You know it is not easy congress to challenge an international club like Canon. They have defeated us, but we hope to take our revenge in Bamenda in the return leg”, Gadinga promised.
Their poor form and problems not withstanding, Gadinga swore that “we still have our eyes on the title”. Gadinga promised that they will resume in the second phase with a similar success they recorded at the start of the season.
“The players are united, we have one spirit and determination. We hope management will come along with us”, Gadinga concluded.
Meantime, Canon finished top in the first round with 30 points. Three adrift runners up Bamboutos. While Caiman close up the rear with only 12 points (see table).
Martin Etonge
