CAPS United have defended hiking gate charges for this weekend’s CAF Champions League first round second leg match against DRC side TP Mazembe at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.
The lowest charge will be $5 for rest of the ground, while the VIP tickets have been set at $20, with VVIP tickets going for $50.
CAPS United are on the brink of causing an upset, having held their own against the five time African Champions by getting a 1-1 draw away and are looking to finish the job at home on Sunday.
However, some fans have questioned the decision by the club to increase gate charges, arguing that it is a wrong move which will turn away the much needed home advantage.
Posting on the Soccer24 Official Facebook page, some fans reacted:
Vusa Brandon Mukosi “A full house could have been to their advantage but at $5 that’s not gonna happen and in any case Caps Utd doesn’t have so many supporters!”
Saidi Idana “In Lubumbashi, DRC, the stadium was packed to capacity [with] tickets selling at FR3000, roughly about US $2.30 for the rest of the ground and the stadium was packed to capacity. [It’s] food thought for [the] Caps [United] administration [as] the number of supporters will play an important role. Don’t be fooled by that draw in Lubumbashi, [TP] Mazembe is not just a walk over.”
Tonderai Tee Cee Chipindu [It is a] wrong move ku drc (in DRC) the stadium was full to capacity kuno muchange musina vanhu dai vatoita $2 vanhu vopinda vakawanda (here you will not have lots of people, they should have charged USD$2 and they would have lots of people).”
However, in a statement, CAPS United CEO, Cuthbert Chitima, expressed the sense behind the gate charge increase:
“We would like to advise the nation and our beloved fans as well as our valued stakeholders that the CAF Champions League tournament is involving substantial amounts of money which are far beyond the club’s reach and capability.
“We understand that harsh economic conditions currently prevailing, but you can still donate for a noble cause by buying a ticket and together we can make it.
“We encourage all supporters to come in numbers and to come early to avoid pressure as well as other unforeseen entry inconveniences as CAPS United raises the National Flag high.”