07 Dec 2017

Despite its rapid growth and massive cash injection in the last few years, the Mascom Top 8 is struggling to attract the masses to the stadiums.

Speaking in a press briefing, Botswana Premier League chief executive officer, Thabo Ntshinogang said it was concerning to note that the first leg of the quarter final games recorded some of the lowest number of spectators.

He said the Extension Gunners/Gaborone United game attracted 2 445 spectators followed by the Township Rollers/BDF XI fixture which attracted 1 484.  The Mochudi Centre Chiefs/ Jwaneng Galaxy fixture only attracted 500 spectators, while the game between Orapa United and Security Systems had only 100 spectators.
 

Ntshinogang said both the premier league and Mascom Top 8 organising committee were equally concerned by the low spectator turn out at the stadiums, and that they would find remedial solutions to attract spectators to stadiums.

He said participating teams should also lobby their supporters to attend games in large numbers, as that would be of benefit to all concerned parties being the teams, association and sponsors.

Meanwhile, the second leg of the quarter-final games will kick start on Friday at Itekeng Stadium in Orapa where last season’s finalists will play host to debutants Security Systems.  Both teams played to a one all draw in their first leg encounter played at Lobatse Stadium a fortnight ago.

Extension Gunners will welcome Gaborone United in Francistown on Saturday. Moyagoleele will take into the game a healthy 3-0 home win, hence Gunners will have to dig deep if they are to turn their fortunes around and stand any chance of securing a semi-final showdown.

Gunners has for years been playing their home games in Lobatse where they enjoy a huge following. However, as a way of soliciting support and expanding their support base, they will be hopeful of a close to a capacity crowd on Saturday.

The move to play the fixture in Francistown might just be what the doctor ordered to remedy the poor attendance syndrome that has been aching the Mascom Top 8 organising committee, as the Francistown community has in recent times been attending football games in satisfactory numbers.

Mochudi Centre Chiefs will on Sunday have to defend their slim 2-1 advantage in Jwaneng as they will face Jwaneng Galaxy.  Centre Chiefs produced one of the shocking results in the first leg that led to the sacking of Galaxy head coach, Mike Sithole, but the Kgatleng side has, however, failed to maintain consistency something which might work against them on Sunday.

Monday night football will make a return as Township Rollers will play host to BDF XI at the national stadium.   

Township Rollers seems to have one foot in the Mascom Top 8 semi-finals show down, as they defeated a resilient BDF XI with a 2-0 score line in the first leg encounter. Ends