Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
ABOUT 200 fans watched the FC Platinum and Highlanders Chibuku Super Cup quarter-final match at Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro Ngezi on Saturday.
It has also emerged that the Premier Soccer League only availed tickets to clubs just before lunch on Friday instead of Thursday as had been promised.
PSL marketing manager Rodwell Thabe, however, said the delay in dispatching tickets to clubs had no bearing on actual sales as they had agreed with clubs that they can proceed with the process with fans getting tickets when they were available.
“We had some administrative mishaps, which were not really a big issue in as far as sales were concerned. We held meetings with all the clubs and agreed that the process can go ahead with fans getting receipts from clubs as proof of payment then as soon as tickets were delivered, fans would then get their tickets after providing receipts as proof of payment,’’ said Thabe.
Although the PSL said it was yet to do its ticket reconciliation, sources from four clubs told Chronicle Sport that sales were low.
Highlanders reportedly sold 48 tickets at their Bulawayo offices while neighbours Chicken Inn sold five VIP tickets. Zvishavane-based FC Platinum sold 84 tickets and Harare City managed about 28 ticket sales.
The decision by the PSL to reduce the number of fans from 2 000 to 1 000 and to also peg minimum gate charges at US$20 and US$50 for VIP was not well received by fans.
Fans felt the move was a slap in the face after the Sports and Recreation Commission had taken a position that 2 000 fans per match be allowed into the stadium.
The 2 000 figure will, however, go up next week when league games get underway after the SRC announced that 30 percent of the stadium’s carrying capacity will be allowed to watch matches.
That means about 7 000 fans can enter Barbourfields Stadium while almost 20 000 can be accommodated at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
Online Reporter