The former Black Leopards dribbling maestro, Christopher “Matari” Netshidzivhe, has taken the bull by the horns over a pay dispute.

Netshidzivhe locked horns with the Black Leopards administrators shortly after the club decided to end their marriage of ten years with the player. He claims Lidoda duvha refused to pay the remaining balance of his contract.

Netshidzivhe, who is affectionately known as ´Matari´ by his followers, says his contract was supposed to expire in July, but the club decided to terminate the contract in April. The club said the player had lost his form and they labelled him as surplus baggage to the team.

Netshidzivhe, who was allegedly earning around R10 000 a month, referred the matter to the South African Football Players Union (SAFPU).

Netshidzivhe told Mirror that he did not have any desire to be seen in the famous gold and black colours of Leopards. He said he wanted to further his career elsewhere. "All I need from the team is to pay me my remaining balance. That´s the reason I took the matter to SAFPU. I have tried on numerous occasions to get hold of the club owner, but he told me he didn´t even want to speak to me or see me anywhere near his club," said Netshidzivhe.

Leopards’ team manager, Sam Khaphathe, said that there was no way that they were going to pay a player whom they didn´t have a contract with. "SAFPU influences players to sue clubs with the aim of promoting their organisation or to gain fame, but we are ready to take them on in the Netshidzivhe issue," he said.

SAFPU general secretary Cappy Matutoane confirmed that they had received a formal complaint from Netshidzivhe. "We hope that the judgement by the DRC will soon be made. Teams must respect players and their contracts", said Matutoane.