adminEddie Chikamhi Sports Reorter
THE Harare Derby didn’t only produce fireworks on the pitch but was a star attraction with fans, too, with 21 067 -the biggest crowd to watch a Premiership tie in the capital this year – paying their way into the National Sports Stadium on Sunday.
It’s very likely now that the second game between the two giants will be an even bigger hit with the fans as it will also be played during the month-end when a lot of fans have more money to spend.
PSL chief executive Kenny Ndebele said they had feared the match would be overshadowed by the World Cup final between Germany and Argentina which was played later in the evening.
The Premiership has been losing fans of late with many people opting to stay home due to the current economic hardships and the declining quality on display on the field.
Recently, the Battle of Zimbabwe between Dynamos and Highlanders – which usually draws the largest crowds – was watched by just 13 292 paying supporters despite the decision by Dynamos to reduce the price of the cheapest tickets.
The Harare Derby has often come under criticism with analysts saying it has lost some of its glitter over the years.
However, the supporters who thronged the giant stadium at the weekend were given value for their money in the 1-1 draw as both teams rose to the chal- lenge.
“It was a fantastic afternoon of football. Typical example of what we want to see week in and week out in our football in terms of play and the spectatorship,” said Ndebele.
“I think this was a match worth watching considering the hype. We are also grateful to the media for playing their role so well in publicising this match.
“Despite it being played on the same weekend when the World Cup final was taking place, the match still had a fair share of publicity.
“Perhaps, in future, we would like to urge clubs to be more proactive and be forthcoming with information to make the whole thing exciting.”
This year’s attendance at the giant stadium was almost a carbon copy of the first leg of the derby at the same stadium last year when 21 060 people paid to watch the game, leaving the Green Machine with their biggest ever pay cheque after grossing US$107 000.
The return leg then attracted 20 659 people.
But the supporters appeared satisfied by the spirit displayed by both teams and were now looking forward to the return leg next week.
Sunday’s clash lacked goals but the two sides should have been satisfied by the 1-1 draw which left them equal on 27 points and only separated by goal difference on the log standings.
Murape Murape fired Dynamos into the lead in the first half while Gerald Phiri levelled the scores with a beauty of a free-kick in the second half.
But the Malawian was pelted with missiles by a section of rowdy supporters.
Phiri appeared to have provoked the supporters when he chose to run to the stands housing the DeMbare fans to celebrate the goal with his teammates after his beautiful free-kick gave the Green Machine an equaliser their fighting spirit deserved.
Dynamos are third on the Premiership table while CAPS United are fourth at the halfway mark of the league marathon.
Highlanders, who beat Bantu Rovers 4-2 at Barbourfields to open a three point gap at the top, are in pole position.
Surprise packages ZPC Kariba are second on 27 points and are the only team unbeaten in the first round of the campaign.
The league has confirmed that the programme will take a break this week to accommodate the Super Eight tournament that is set to be launched in Harare this afternoon.
Mobile phone services operator NetOne are expected to unveil a new package for the tournament, taking over from BancABC.
The draw will be conducted at the launch where the prize money is also expected to be unveiled.
Online Reporter