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Mascom Charity Cup marred by low attendance

Orapa United.PIC.MORERI SEJAKGOMO
Orapa United.PIC.MORERI SEJAKGOMO

FRANCISTOWN: Low attendance by football fans was the highlight of the weekend's Mascom Charity Cup held at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium on Saturday.

Orapa United were crowned champions of the tournament after defeating Security Systems by a solitary goal in the final. The stadium has over the years earned a reputation for attracting many spectators. But on Saturday all the three charity cup matches (two semifinals and the final) attracted a paltry crowd. While there were no official figures of attendance disclosed, a hypothetical analysis showed that the attendance was very low compared to previous bigger football matches staged at the stadium.

There were many empty seats around the facility. It was not clear why the fans stayed away from the one-day tournament, but some speculated that the absence of the country’s most supported club, Township Rollers might have been one of the contributing factors to the low turnout. Rollers did not secure enough votes to be part of the tournament, something that came as a shock to many pundits. Gaborone United, one of the country’s most supported teams were eliminated in the semifinal, which aggravated the situation. Many had assumed that if Moyagoleele made it to the final more supporters would turn up. The Ostriches and Systems do not enjoy massive support in local football.

Editor's Comment
Don't let FMD outbreak drag on

Acting Agriculture Minister, Edwin Dikoloti, is right in saying opening an export-ready facility whilst Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is still spreading would risk getting the whole country blacklisted before a single carcass leaves the door.A ban like that would break the already stressed nation. So, the postponement, painful as it is, is the right thing to do. The local economy is being squeezed from both ends. FMD has already slammed the door...

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