Only 4000 watch Bosso vs Caps
BULAWAYO – A paltry 4,157 fans paid their way to watch the Highlanders/Caps United Castle Lager Premiership encounter at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday following a monumental error of judgment by the executive to hike gate charges.
The increase came against a background of a home loss to Chapungu and an uninspiring 1-0 win over league minnows Dongo Sawmill at Vengere Stadium in Rusape.
There was also an uncertainty on whether Caps United would fulfil the match due to their well documented in-house problems.
After all expenses had been paid for, the fading giants, who are in dire need of cash injection, banked $9,182 from a gross total of $22,975.
Sunday’s charges saw the minimum ticket going for $5, wings $10 while a VIP ticket was going for $15.
The figures are a far outcry from what new boys, Tsholotsho got when they played hosts to Highlanders on Week Two.
Iziqholo zeZhwane had 8,640 fans paying their way into the stadium, more than double Sunday’s figures.
Sunday’s match was also beamed live on Supersport 9 channel and with schools opening today, many fans stayed away from the clash that usually attracts huge numbers.
However, Highlanders’ chief executive officer Ndumiso Gumede defended the decision and claimed they made more money than their previous match against Chapungu United that, however, ended in misery on the pitch.
“The profits that we received were quite good despite lower attendances compared to last week. We collected more revenue. Die hard soccer fans came through,” said Gumede.
Barbourfields Stadium has been known to be intimidating because of the huge support base Bosso enjoys and whenever the team has been down on the field, the electric atmosphere at the stadia has seen opposition teams crumbling like a deck of cards.
On Sunday a Caps United player was heard even boasting that Barbourfields is no longer intimidating and had become more like their home ground.
Gumede though, agreed that the team’s poor run has had an effect on the attendance.
“Everyone wants to be associated with victory and the recent losses do have an effect on the attendance,” he said. The Chronicle
