Teams have to pay for the hiring of Stadiums, security, etc and we are told they cannot afford all this at the price of R20, but is R20 the issue here?
I really do not think the R20 is the real issue. I like the fact that people believe there is no longer a small or a big team anymore, so one can simply make an example with any team, since they all are big these days.
Ok, say you are BIDVest Wits, having to play Mpumalanga Black Aces in Johannesburg. How many People would really be keen to come and watch the game, for free, in FNB Stadium? I bet my last cent, you will be very lucky to get the stadium half full.
People do not simply go to the game without any reason. They would want to see their favourite players, goals, or simply great football. I personally do not think most of the PSL games have those ingredients.
There is the big Derby (Kaizer Chiefs vs. Orlando Pirates) coming up. It used to be a big game. There was great rivalry, goals, brilliant football. There were players at the two teams that had the ability and individual skill to change the complexion of the game. Pity those days are gone, and now the derby itself is a game hard to sell, you can imagine the rest.
So if you have 30 000 people at the stadium for a game, the PSL then says, if you want them to be 60 000, no worry, simply double the amount they pay, then you good. Forget bringing back the real PRO’s that used to entice soccer fans. Forget having a Marketing division as a team.
As a guy from Pretoria, I don’t see myself going to watch Mamelodi Sundowns and BIDVest Wits at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, unless I am assured of the “Piano and Shoe Shine”, otherwise why should I go and stress myself?
These foreign coaches have destroyed our football. There are no skillful players anymore. We miss the Heel Extension Mkhari’s, Scara’s 360° turn, after all, we are not the English, and will never be. When our local players do this, they are wasting time on the ball (guess it’s in the FIFA A license course or something). But when it’s Messi, or Ronaldinho its flair.
Now the soccer loving people have to pay for an extra seat, just to fill the stadium.
By Baile Motshoane
