Royal AM captain, Samuel Manganyi says the players are still in good spirits despite the ongoing challenges off the field. Manganyi spoke out about the ongoing issue of unpaid salaries at the club, amid the management’s recent claims that player payments have been made.

Reports surfaced early this week of a player strike at the club, following the non-payment of December salaries.

Royal AM General Manager, Richard Makhoba says all players have been paid on Thursday. He further stated that training would resume on Monday as the team prepares for upcoming fixtures. Manganyi, says what’s happening at the club is out of the players’ control.

“Yes, we can say things are bad. But for me, as a captain, I just need to lift the guys up and tell them that everything will be fine because these are things that we have no control over as players. So our management and owners will take control of what’s happening, what we can do is to get in the field of play.”

Training was reportedly suspended as the club attempted to address its financial difficulties. Royal AM’s fixture with Chippa United was also postponed by the league’s mother body, the PSL.

Unpaid salaries resulted in the players not returning to training in January for the resumption of the Betway Premiership. Their fixture against Chippa United has since been postponed.

“I don’t want to lie I am injured actually so I have been out. I have been home, so I am not sure what is happening. I just heard from the media that the guys have not been training,” Manganyi adds.

Despite the turmoil off the field, which has also seen the South African Revenue Services (SARS) taking control of matters. Manganyi stated that they are firmly focused on playing football.

“Being a footballer is not easy because you come across different circumstances. You need to be strong. It happens that we are playing tomorrow so sulking and crying won’t help us because now we need to be prepared for this Nedbank game and the upcoming fixtures again, so we need to be mentally strong.”

However, the captain is confident that management will overcome the challenges and that things will return to normal.

“Yes, I am confident because I think our leaders are working hard behind the scenes on fixing what’s happening because I don’t think I will be here for the draw if I wasn’t confident enough in them.”

Meanwhile, Royal AM’s next fixture will be against Orlando Pirates on the 22nd of this month.