DeMbare fans stay at home

more supporters to their games.
After a good pre-season in which they wooed their fans with a passing game, and a dream Champions League tie where they destroyed MC Alger at Rufaro, it has all gone wrong for DeMbare. And fans are staying at home.
The Harare derby between Dynamos and for-mer champions Gunners attracted a little over 9 000 fans who paid their way into Rufaro on Sunday.
The match ended in a goalless draw.
A strong Gunners’ penalty appeal, which was turned down, a red card to defender Ronald Sengu in the second half and a promising show by young goalkeeper George Chigova were the story of this match.
But it was the way the fans stayed at home, especially for a Dynamos match, which could be a cause for concern for the Premier Soccer League.
Dynamos are the biggest crowd puller and the PSL’s cash cow but when they attract only 9 201 people for their home match, then one tends to feel pity for small teams like Kiglon.
In their first game this season against Dynamos, Kiglon had smiled after grossing US$35 686 from the gates when 10 436 fans paid their way into the stadium.
The fact that national broadcaster ZBC has not been covering the Castle Lager Premier Soccer matches was supposed to bring more people to the stadiums.
But this has not been the case.
When Dynamos played Masvingo, there were just 8 830 fans who paid their way to watch the match.
And when the Glamour Boys ran out 5-1 winners there was hope that it would bring in more fans to their games.
But this Dynamos side, described last week by one of the club’s fans as the worst DeMbare in history, has been inconsistent and they lost 1-0 to Zimbabwe Saints.
The draw against Gunners grossed US$35 000, leaving the club with little after deductions had been made by the PSL, the City of Harare, the ambulance fees, security and cashiers.
According to the statistics, attendance has been steadily declining for Dynamos’ matches since the Champions League tie against MC Alger at Rufaro.
A total of 21 326 fans paid to watch the Champions League tie as DeMbare ran out 4-1 winners with a total of US$74 632 being grossed from the turnstiles.
The Hexagon Venture for Victory Challenge Cup between Dynamos and Highlanders also fared well as it had 12 898 fans paying with US$49 908 being realised from the gates.
Given that it was still pre-season, it was a good crowd.
But as Dynamos struggle for goals at home, and are beaten away from home, the fans are deciding to stay at home in their numbers.
Star midfielder Archford Gutu is expected back home on Thursday from trials in Bulgaria but he is also expected to go to Germany on another club-hunting mission.