BULAWAYO rugby teams, Highlanders and Bulldogs had their players stranded for hours in Harare after fulfilling their Intercity Rugby League fixtures at Police Grounds on Saturday.

Highlanders chairman Themba Phiri said he had to ask one of the senior players Silethokuhle Ndlovu to pay for transport for the teams to find their way back to Bulawayo at close to midnight. The players ended up leaving Harare at 2am after loitering in the streets of Harare for hours. On their way to Harare, they used a bus but when they finished their matches, it is said that the driver informed them that the Zimbabwe Rugby Union had not paid for the transport.

“The two teams went by Inter Africa buses on Saturday morning but when the time came for them to come home, they phoned the bus driver who told them that ZRU had not paid and so they could not bring the players back to Bulawayo. Silethokuhle Ndlovu ended up hiring two minibuses for both teams to find their way back to Bulawayo,’’ said Phiri.

He expressed his displeasure with how ZRU vice president in charge of the ICL, Nody Kanyangarara was conducting affairs of the league. Last week, Highlanders had their home fixture against Old Hararians rescheduled due to lack of transport for OH to find their way to Bulawayo.

In response, Kangarara blamed the bus company for not transporting the two teams back to Bulawayo even with payment having been made.

“Despite payment for the two way journey on Friday, the bus company (Inter Africa) did not come to pick up the teams. There was virtually lot confusion at the company. This is not the first time we have had similar experiences with them. Last year Old Miltonians were similarly left stranded, meaning they actually owe us.

The incident is very much unfortunate and we are sincerely apologetic to the clubs affected, Highlanders and Bulldogs, the players for what they had to endure and certainly their families. We managed to resolve the matter and had the teams travel back to Bulawayo albeit using two vehicles.

Currently, the ICL is trudging along given the acute lack of funding. It is paramount that rugby be played at national level and we're hopeful of partners, big and small, coming on board to support the teams and rugby,’’ said Kanyangarara.

This past weekend’s ICL fixtures were almost cancelled when the Zimbabwe Rugby Referees on Friday withdrew its members from officiating in the matches because of ZRU’s failure to make available financial resources. A meeting between ZRU and ZRRS leadership saw the impasse being resolved.

Highlanders were clobbered 94-0 by log leaders OGs, Bulldogs got an 84-14 hammering at the hands of OH. Police Defenders continued with their winning ways, beating Old Johanians 23-15 while Mutare Sports Club saw off Matabeleland Warriors 19-12.

@Mdawini_29