PREMIER Soccer League (PSL) new boys How Mine have opted to play Highlanders at Barbourfields (BF) Stadium in an effort to maximise revenue from gate takings when the two sides clash in the reverse Castle PSL derby on Sunday.
FORTUNE MBELE, SPORTS REPORTER
How Mine chairman Mlondolozi Nkomo yesterday said the gold miners will be approaching PSL officials to have the match moved from Luveve Stadium to Emagumeni.
The Metallon Gold-sponsored outfit who have assumed the giant killer tag, are also seeking to hike the charges for the sixth Bulawayo PSL derby.
“We think that BF is bigger and more secure for the game of this magnitude. We are going to make requests to the PSL to have the match played at BF. We have also made a request that we increase the gate charges to $5 for the rest of the ground, $10 for the wings and $15 for the VIP. We want to maximise on revenue from the game,” Nkomo said.
However, $5 has appeared to be out of reach for many football lovers leading to the number of fans attending matches dropping.
One of the biggest matches played by How Mine in Bulawayo this season was against league champions Dynamos at Luveve Stadium on July 6 which saw record attendance figures with police having a challenge controlling fans outside and inside the stadium.
How Mine dismissed Dynamos 1-0 in that match when South African Super Diski side AmaZulu trialist Simbarashe Sithole pounced on the Glamour Boys in the 20th minute to secure the win.
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Then, they were coached by Philani Mabhena before his assistant and namesake Philani “Beefy” Ncube took over a few weeks later.
How Mine have played three derbies against their city rivals Bosso and Chicken Inn and have won two of the matches.
Bosso were the first to fall victim to How Mine when they lost 1-2 at Barbourfields in the first city derby on May 19.
Former Bosso players Hebert Dick and Nqobile Mpala turned up the heat on Highlanders with Dick’s own goal giving Bosso the face saver.
Six days later How Mine were at Emagumeni again, but this time lost 1-0 to Chicken Inn with the solitary goal coming from leading PSL scorer Tendai Ndoro, who has since joined South African side Mpumalanga Black Aces.
Last month, How Mine avenged the Chicken Inn defeat, coming from behind to beat the GameCocks 2-1 at Luveve with goals coming from Menard Mupera and Timothy January.
How Mine look set to remain in the PSL after a good start to the season. They sit comfortably on position eight on the log standings despite having played a goalless draw against Black Mambas at Luveve Stadium recently.
