In a move that can only be described as a masterclass in poor financial management, Dynamos, one of Zimbabwe’s most beloved football clubs, has been hit with a FIFA ban. And the reason? A whopping US$18,500 owed to two former players from Ghana, Emmanuel Paga and Ansa Botchway.

Let’s break it down: US$8,500 to Paga and US$10,000 to Botchway. Not exactly pocket change for a club of Dynamos’ stature. It’s surprising that such a relatively small amount could lead to such severe consequences, but I suppose that’s the beauty of FIFA’s debt enforcement.

The plot thickens when you consider the tumultuous 2024 season Dynamos endured. Players boycotted training, protesting unpaid winning bonuses and sign-on fees. It was only a matter of time before the players’ patience wore thin, and they sought greener pastures elsewhere. A mass exodus of 15 senior players at the end of the season was the nail in the coffin.

Dynamos joins an exclusive club – the fourth Zimbabwean team to face a FIFA ban in the past year. One can’t help but wonder if the club’s financial woes are a result of poor planning or simply a case of “out of sight, out of mind.”

As Dynamos navigates this challenging period, one thing is certain: paying their debts would be a great place to start. Until then, the FIFA ban will remain a constant reminder of their financial mismanagement.

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