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Zimbabwe fans protest US$10 ticket price for Warriors' AFCON qualifier
2 hrs ago |
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Football fans have raised concerns over the US$10 ticket price for the rest of the ground for Zimbabwe's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on September 28 at the National Sports Stadium.
Some supporters have called on the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) to review the price, arguing that it could make it difficult for ordinary fans to attend the match.
Several fans suggested that the cheapest ticket should be pegged at US$5, in line with prices charged for some Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches.
However, ZIFA chief executive officer Yvonne Manwa defended the US$10 charge, saying staging international matches comes with significant expenses.
"I know $10 seems like a lot, but we're competing with a lot of the other entertainment in the industry," Manwa said in an interview with Fanzone.
She said the association also had to consider the costs associated with bringing players to Zimbabwe, particularly those based outside the country.
"When you talk about charters, the cost of getting the flights in, the bulk of our players coming from out of the country," she said.
"So if you are looking at a trip from their bases to Morocco, a charter to Harare, and then back to their bases, it's a lot of money."
Manwa added that ZIFA had to ensure players were adequately compensated while meeting the other costs involved in running the national team.
"We also have to pay our players something that makes sense to them," she said.
"So it takes a lot of money to run a football association, to make sure that we compete, and to compete at the best possible level."
Some supporters, however, remained unconvinced by the explanation and compared the current ticket price with charges when Zimbabwe previously hosted international matches in South Africa.
One fan questioned why tickets were now more expensive despite the Warriors returning to play at their home stadium.
"When Zimbabwe was using South African stadiums as their home grounds… the tickets were 50 rand or less than 100 rand. You had to hire the stadium but still the tickets were cheap. Now we are playing in our own stadium but the ticket is now more expensive… balance me there," the supporter said on social media.
The debate comes as anticipation builds for the Warriors' AFCON qualifier against the DRC, with fans expected to turn out at the National Sports Stadium for the September 28 encounter.
Some supporters have called on the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) to review the price, arguing that it could make it difficult for ordinary fans to attend the match.
Several fans suggested that the cheapest ticket should be pegged at US$5, in line with prices charged for some Castle Lager Premier Soccer League matches.
However, ZIFA chief executive officer Yvonne Manwa defended the US$10 charge, saying staging international matches comes with significant expenses.
"I know $10 seems like a lot, but we're competing with a lot of the other entertainment in the industry," Manwa said in an interview with Fanzone.
She said the association also had to consider the costs associated with bringing players to Zimbabwe, particularly those based outside the country.
"When you talk about charters, the cost of getting the flights in, the bulk of our players coming from out of the country," she said.
Manwa added that ZIFA had to ensure players were adequately compensated while meeting the other costs involved in running the national team.
"We also have to pay our players something that makes sense to them," she said.
"So it takes a lot of money to run a football association, to make sure that we compete, and to compete at the best possible level."
Some supporters, however, remained unconvinced by the explanation and compared the current ticket price with charges when Zimbabwe previously hosted international matches in South Africa.
One fan questioned why tickets were now more expensive despite the Warriors returning to play at their home stadium.
"When Zimbabwe was using South African stadiums as their home grounds… the tickets were 50 rand or less than 100 rand. You had to hire the stadium but still the tickets were cheap. Now we are playing in our own stadium but the ticket is now more expensive… balance me there," the supporter said on social media.
The debate comes as anticipation builds for the Warriors' AFCON qualifier against the DRC, with fans expected to turn out at the National Sports Stadium for the September 28 encounter.
Source - newsday
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