Zebras game break attendance record

Chakalisa Dube | Tuesday September 8, 2015 18:00

 

The new Francistown stadium has a capacity of 26,500 while the Zebras have previously played at the National and Lobatse stadiums which have a comparatively lower capacity.

“At the moment we do not have audited figures but attendance was around 25,000,” Ikgopoleng said in an interview yesterday.

Ikgopoleng said that the LOC would meet sometime this week to reconcile figures.

He said the match went well on their side, except for the supporters’ invasion of the pitch at the end of the game.

“There is need to educate the supporters on how to behave.  We will engage the Zebras supporters club to help us educate the supporters on how they should conduct themselves during matches, so that in future they do not invade the pitch.

“Issues of pitch invading do not only need to be addressed by security.  Education on the part of the supporters is also important,” he said.

Ikgopoleng said it was unclear what sanctions would be imposed on the national team after supporters invaded the pitch. Meanwhile Zebras coach, Peter Butler, told a press briefing after the match that he was excited by the way his charges played on Sunday.  He singled Galabgwe Moyana, Kabelo Seakanyeng, Mogakolodi Ngele, Lebogang Ditsile and Hendrick Moyo among players who gave the Zebras the much-needed win. Butler said he opted to go for three defenders and play a man marking system at the back in a bid to contain Burkina Faso strikers who are good when it comes to interchanges.

He added that he opted to play winger Moyana at left back because he can run up and down the flank.

“He did well and showed his old form he initially displayed two years ago. He has not played much in the league but he has a big engine which allows him to run up and down,” he said.

He also defended his decision to play Moyo on Saturday despite the latter’s lack of game time at club level. Moyo has not seen league action because Orapa United and Gaborone United are still embroiled in a battle over his ownership.

“Unlike other players, Moyo has natural fitness and does not carry much weight. I think he did well especially when it comes to running down the channels,” Butler said.

Butler also hailed the supporters at the stadium.  “I want more national team games in Francistown because the atmosphere is fantastic. I have never seen anything like that,” he said.