'80 Per Cent Of Zimbabwean Players Are On Drugs'

Bulawayo City coach Philani “Beefy” Ncube has claimed that 80 per cent of local footballers abuse drugs, specifically Broncleer.

Ncube argued that it is unfair for fans to demand coaches to be sacked when players’ performances are being affected by illicit drugs. Said Ncube:

I can tell you that almost 80 per cent of Zimbabwean players are on drugs. I will not mention names but when we played Highlanders there was a player from their end who was clearly under the influence.

He was just sleeping. I know for a fact that he takes drugs. Then you hear people saying the coach must go.

The biggest problem is that some of the fans are selling these substances to the boys.

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Yet they are the same people you will hear saying Mandla Mpofu, Joey Antipas or Beefy must go.

Ncube suggested that the abuse of drugs by footballers may have increased during the COVID-19 induced suspension of football for more than a year.

He said the Premier Soccer League (PSL) should have brought in psychologists to help footballers “and assure them that there is life after or during COVID-19”.

Ncube urged the PSL and Footballers Union of Zimbabwe to take action before the situation gets out of hand. He said:

These boys have taken drugs as part of their lifestyle. The effects of their drug-taking tendencies will be so negative in the next four months.

PSL and Footballers Union of Zimbabwe have to take action before the situation escalates.

I can tell you these boys can pass a COVID-19 test but not a doping test.

The sad part is these things are even a trend at the junior level which is sad.

More: Chronicle