Legends challenge PSL players

WARRIORS Legends’ coach, Sunday Chidzambwa, has said the big crowd that thronged the National Sports Stadium on Sunday was a huge indictment to the domestic Premiership that has of late been struggling to lure supporters to their league matches.

An estimated 35 000-strong crowd, according to official figures from the Sport and Recreation Commission, filled the giant stadium to watch the yesteryear soccer heroes in an entertaining exhibition match against Barcelona Legends that ended in a 2-2 draw.

Chidzambwa said such attendances are rarely seen in the domestic matches where even the traditional blockbuster fixtures such as the Harare Derby and the Battle of Zimbabwe are struggling to attract half the size of the crowd that turned up on Sunday.

Big clubs like Dynamos and Highlanders, who used to attract an average 13 000 to 15 000 paying spectators during their home games, have also been affected, with the figures significantly going down to around 7 000.

The smaller teams have suffered the most as they sometimes fail to sell 100 tickets.

The former Warriors’ coach said the enthusiasm to watch former stars in action demonstrated that Zimbabweans love football but were probably being put off by the poor quality of play being dished out these days.

“This game brought very good old memories. When I saw the crowds I thought of our match against Mali in 2003. Most of these guys (Warriors Legends) played in that game, it was very touching.

“I think you also saw how big the crowd that attended the match was. To me this is the best crowd