Where have the fans gone?

Sy Lerman

A corresponding game of some considerable importance at a crucial stage in the English Premier League – or most other football-mad countries for that matter – would have attracted a near-capacity attendance.

But at an eerie Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria on Wednesday night, what might figuratively be described as “a man and his dog” were in attendance to witness the Absa Premiership draw between SuperSport United and Bloemfontein Celtic.

Gate takings indicated an attendance of less than a 1 000 spectators and the empty stands created an atmosphere akin to a haunted house.

What added to the misgivings is the fact that Celtic are traditionally among the best-supported clubs in the PSL and although this was not their home fixture, they are known to have a sizeable complement of travelling fans.

So where were the SuperSport supporters? And are the PSL taking note of what are similarly modest crowds at many of the stadiums round the country?

Of course, the hypnotic derby clashes between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates remain a contrasting phenomenon insofar as capacity and near-capacity attendances are concerned – and games between the two Soweto clubs and Caf Champions League champions Mamelodi Sundowns have also developed into major drawcards.

But the attendances at the great majority of Premiership games remain of great concern and need some considerable soul-searching on the part of the PSL, whose persuasive propaganda outlet has succeeded in acquiring major cash injections from sponsorships and other business outlets to subsidise clubs and compensate for the modest gate takings.

However, having a man and his dog at matches is a problem – and it can easily snowball if left unattended.