Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE latest instalment of the Harare Derby featuring old rivals Dynamos and CAPS United attracted 14 475 paying fans at Rufaro on Sunday.
Makepekepe, who were the home team, may have lost the match 0-1 but they are surely going to get a consolation from the gate receipts. Jairos Kasondo scored the only goal of the match in the 54th minute.
With a lot at stake as both teams are currently embroiled in the relegation fight, CAPS United increased the gate charges to US$5 for the rest of the ground, US$10 VIP and US$20 VVIP bucket seats.
The supporters from both teams turned up in huge numbers despite the upward review of the gate charges and provided a perfect backdrop to one of the country’s major domestic football event.
This was a huge jump from the 8 622 that watched the first leg in May. At that time, DeMbare were embroiled in internal turmoil and their supporters boycotted games in protest against Bernard Marriot’s leadership.
The boycott has since ended. The latest figure was even higher than the CAPS United versus Scottland match that attracted 11 000 paying fans.
“We had 14 475 people who paid to watch the match,” said a CAPS United official.
“We would like to thank our fans for rallying behind the team in good and bad times. Obviously, the attendance was higher than that because there are some who use complementary tickets and invitations to the VVIP.”
CAPS United remained on 14th place on the log standings while Dynamos moved two places up to 15th. The teams are now square on 32 points after 29 games, with a goal difference separating them on the log standings.
