By Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
The curtain came down on an eventful Castle Lager Premier Soccer League season with Bulawayo Chiefs being crowned Cup Kings after winning the Chibuku Super Cup.
Bulawayo Chiefs bagged their maiden trophy after seeing off Herentals at Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo.
A season which was dominated by poor crowd attendance started with matches being pegged at US$20 but ended with the entry fee at a dollar.
The usual PSL crowd pullers including the Harare Derby pitting Dynamos and Caps United, the Battle of Zimbabwe – Highlanders versus Dynamos and the Battle of the Cities, Caps United versus Highlanders failed to attract 10 000 paying fans.
The irony, however, is that the Chibuku Super Cup final, which featured the so-called minnows Bulawayo Chiefs and Herentals and usually watched by the media and reserve team players, attracted more than 15 000 fans at Barbourfields Stadium.
“It’s a call to the authorities and a sign as well that maybe they should reduce the gate takings to try and attract more fans to matches. It’s beautiful to play football in a packed stadium and I hope next season this will be taken on board,” said Kumbirai Mutiwekuziva, Herentals coach.
The Chibuku Super Cup final brought in two ambitious sides, which are investing heavily in football and meeting in the final was probably a reward for their investment.
Sadly, one team had to walk away with the gold and it was the Twitter Boys.
For their efforts, Bulawayo Chiefs walked away US$75 000 richer.
