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Petros Kausiyo Deputy Sports Editor
HARARE giants Dynamos will not hike entry charges for their high-profile Battle of Zimbabwe showdown with bitter rivals Highlanders at the National Sports Stadium with the Glamour Boys instead seeking to take advantage of an expected bumper crowd to launch an ambitious membership drive.While most teams in the league normally hike entry charges whenever they play Dynamos at their respective homes, the champions can only do so when they host CAPS United and Highlanders.
Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United are the Premiership’s cash cows, with DeMbare and Bosso in particular, usually guaranteeing their opponents a good day at the turnstiles wherever they travel.
DeMbare, who are among the early title-chasing pack together with leaders Hwange, Highlanders, How Mine and ZPC Kariba, had been tempted to hike the entry charges to US$5 for the first of the 2014 Battle of Zimbabwe series against Bosso.
But club secretary-general Webster Chikengezha revealed yesterday that Dynamos had pegged the entry charges for their showdown with Bosso at US$3, which is also the normal entry fees for any top-flight game.
Chikengezha said they had taken into account a number of factors, especially the need to have bigger numbers of fans at the giant stadium before deciding against hiking the entry charges.
The Dynamos secretary-general also said they could have asked for an early kick-off for the match had prior arrangements not been made for the game to be beamed live on the SuperSport channel.
“We are aware that this is the month of the World Cup and some of those games could prove to be counter attractions but we are appealing to our supporters to come and support their team and then go on to watch the World Cup matches later.
“We realise the significant role that the supporters play and we have decided to keep the entry charges at US$3 although traditionally we hike it for matches against Highlanders or CAPS United,’’ Chikengezha said.
Chikengezha said they would use the occasion of the high-profile game to kick-start their membership drive which he believes will strengthen the bond between the DeMbare fans and their team and also give them a sense of belonging.
Clubs the world over thrive on strong membership with the members also guaranteed a number of privileges such as discounts on the sale of replicas and when travelling.
“We will also have replica jerseys on sale at the match and we have reduced them from $50 to 40’’.
Dynamos, who just like many of the teams in the top-flight are reeling under a tough operating environment, have now been looking at more ways that could broaden their revenue streams apart from the gate takings.
The champions have been struggling for consistency and their management and the fans will be hoping that they finally strike the chord and go on a run of convincing wins.
Chikengezha said they were also hoping that their strikers would not lose confidence because of their barren spell.
“We are aware that at times it tends to affect a player when he goes for several matches without scoring but we just hope that they don’t lose confidence and even end up fearing to try’’.
Dynamos will also have to wait another fortnight before they can call on the services of returning striker Rodreck Mutuma.
Mutuma opted to come back home after an unhappy spell at South African Premiership side Bloemfontein Celtic and the self-styled “Prince’’ will now begin his second Dynamos stint, under pressure to lead an attacking line that has been the Glamour Boys’ Achilles Heel.
The Dynamos camp had hoped that Mutuma would be granted free agent status, which would have allowed him to play immediately, but the PSL ruled that that the player would have to wait for the opening of the mid-season transfer window on July 1.
Chikengezha also said they were aware that a consistent run could change their fortunes and remained hopeful that their turnaround could start with a victory over Bosso.
“We are not very far behind the team that is on top although I must also admit that Hwange have assembled a good team this season. I think if we can win against Highlanders and go on a good run, it could change everything and see us back on top,’’ Chikengezha said.
But DeMbare know they will have to brace for a tough afternoon against a Bosso side that is only one of two teams, together with ZPC Kariba, still to state defeat.
Kelvin Kaindu’s men have won five and drawn six of their 11 games while Dynamos have already lost four times in as many games, managed a draw and won six.
In fact, the Premiership pole position has over the weeks been changing hands between Hwange, How Mine, Highlanders, ZPC Kariba and Dynamos with three points separating leaders Hwange and fifth-placed DeMbare.
Online Reporter