No discordant tunes in Warri Wolves’ camp, says official

Seychelles referees arrive for clash with Congolese team

AN official of Warri Wolves has dismissed the insinuation in some quarters that players of the club have concluded plans to embark on strike on the eve of their CAF Confederation Cup second round, first leg match against visiting FCMK of Congo DR.

Wolves, the only Nigerian surviving club in this year’s CAF competitions, is said to be divided, following alleged plans by the players to go on strike to press home their demand for payment of four months salaries.

The club has an uphill task this weekend, as they face FCMK of Democratic Republic of Congo at the Warri City Stadium. But the club official, who spoke with The Guardian yesterday on condition of anonymity, said there was no iota of truth in the story.

“I don’t know where people are getting such stories from. The players are training on the pitch as we speak because they know the expectations of Nigerians since we are the only club remaining in CAF competitions,” he said.

He admitted that the club had been operating under a tight condition due to cash crunch, but revealed that their budget for the continental assignment had been approved.

He also added that the Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick, was working round the clock to ensure the budget was released by the Executive Council as soon as possible.

“I am sure somebody, somewhere is trying to instigate the players to embark on strike just to discredit the good work Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has been doing for the club. I am sure the players are mature enough to decide for themselves. There is no strike in Warri Wolves,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Bernard Camille from the Indian Ocean island of Seychelles has been appointed by CAF as referee for the game between Wolves and the visiting Congolese side.

Camille’s compatriots, Hensley Danny Petrousse, Jean Joseph Felix Ernesta and Nelson Emile Fred will serve as 1st Assistant, 2nd Assistant and Reserve Referee respectively. The Match Commissioner is Alhaji Mukaila Adamu Hassan from Ghana. Wolves beat Racing Club Bobo-Dioulasso of Burkina Faso and Dedebit FC of Ethiopia to reach this stage, while FCMK famously walloped Ahly Shandy of Sudan to make the second round.