Former Kenyan international Boniface Ambani has criticized Gor Mahia players for downing tools and demanding a share of the money awarded to the club by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for winning the league.The unrest began last week when the players went on a go-slow, demanding a share of the Ksh 5 million prize money received from FKF after securing their 21st league title. The situation escalated on Monday morning when the players refused to train. In response, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier told those unwilling to train to go home. A few new players and some from last season continued their training at the gym##NAJAVA_MECA_8241290##.The players have threatened not to travel to Nigeria for the inaugural Coal City International Cup starting Thursday if their demands are unmet. Amid the ongoing debate, Ambani criticized the players for their demands, highlighting that prize money is not part of their contracts.“Let me educate these players. I was once a player, and I understood my contract very well. I never bothered with the club’s prize money. Why?” He posted on social media.Ambani, who played for Oserian Fastac, Tusker FC, and AFC Leopards, elaborated that a club has other financial commitments to meet and that not all the money has to go to the players.“A club hires you and pays you a monthly salary, which is rightfully in your contract. The club pays you win bonuses and draw bonuses throughout the season, and it’s in your contract. The club pays for your travel and accommodation expenses throughout the season. The club pays for your medical expenses anytime you get sick or injured, and it’s stipulated in your contract. And so on,” he continued.Brian Michira pledges improved performance after getting new dealHe urged the players to negotiate for prize money clauses in their contracts if they want a share of the winnings. “The only thing you need to do is ask the club to include in your contract what you will earn if the club wins the league or finishes in second or third place. If that is not stipulated in your contract, forget about the club’s end-of-season earnings. That’s how they recover their expenses on the players and the team throughout the year. It’s as simple as that,” he concluded.A club source also criticized the players for their demands, calling them unreasonable. “We do not understand where this notion that players have to get a share of the prize money comes from. This is the club’s revenue. Their salaries and allowances are up-to-date, and we don’t know why they would want to get every penny that comes to the club. We have other expenses to pay for, and for us, this is a case of gross misconduct and insubordination. If they do not resume duty, there will be consequences,” the source stated.The strike comes just over a fortnight before the club’s CAF Champions League debut. They are set to play Al Merreikh Juba FC on August 16th in the first leg of the CAF CL preliminary round.Poor performance and fan unpopularity prompt Mombasa Elite’s rebranding to Modern Coast Rangers
