22 December 2011
DYNAMOS’ mid-season resurgence ensured an increase in match attendances of the 2011 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, reaffirming the club as the most popular in the country. DeMbare’s season-ender against Kiglon had the highest number of fans paying their way into a match with 30 000 fans; the first match featuring the two in the first half of the season attracted 11 000 fans.
The popular Harare giants had to win that match to clinch the championship title after three frustrating years of ending second .
Last year Dynamos finished behind Motor Action who also won the title on the last day, but this time on powered by a full house at Rufaro Stadium,Dynamos just could not choke.
The traditional crowd-puller, the Harare derby featuring Dynamos and Caps United, had some of the best figures with the two league matches averaging 25 000; both were played at the National Sports Stadium.
Dynamos’ matches against Highlanders had diminished figures by their standards due to the Bulawayo giants’ poor form, with crowds of 19 000 and 12 000 in Harare and Bulawayo respectively.
New comers FC Platinum were better crowd-pullers than Highlanders this term. The former champions have always been second to Dynamos in terms of attendance figures.
Platinum’s home game against Dynamos in Zvishavane attracted 12 000 fans, one of the biggest crowds at a match outside Harare and Bulawayo.
607 300 fans paid their way into all the leagues matches this season but the smaller teams continued to struggle with lamentable figures being recorded .
A Shooting Stars-Chicken Inn game had the lowest attendance with just 33 fans paying to watch the game. The police and cashiers probably constituted a bigger number than the fans,players and officials.
If all 33 fans paid the minimum US$3 entry charge it would mean the match grossed US$99 and the City council was paid US$19 for the use of the stadium.
Other smaller clubs like Kiglon, already suffering financially, recorded similar figures.The PSL management will explore strategies to attract more fans to the stadia.
“We are already working on strategies for next season to bring more fans to the stadia so we have to create excitement at some of those matches featuring the less popular clubs,” said PSL secretary Kenny Ndebele.
“We are also exploring ways to make sure we have as many fans paying their way into the games so that the clubs can fully benefit, but overally we are pleased with the improvement in numbers.”
The 2012 PSL season is set for March to pave way for the Afcon finals and to allow the four clubs in the African Safari space to go about that business.
Champions Dynamos and second placed FC Platinum will be participating in the Caf Champions League while Motor Action and Hwange both participate in the Caf Confederations Cup.
AllAfrica – All the Time