SOCCER – FOOTBALL fans have taken to social media platforms to vent their frustrations over the E85 general admission fee charged for Nsingizini Hotspurs’ CAF Champions League preliminary round second-leg match against Zimbabwean champions Scottland at the Somhlolo National Stadium on Saturday.
The back-to-back MTN Premier League champions hosted Scottland in a must-win and must-watch continental fixture, but only about 500 supporters attended the match at the 7 500-seater stadium.
The E85 general admission fee and E250 VIP charge came under scrutiny on social media, with supporters comparing the prices with those normally charged for domestic football.
Local soccer fans are accustomed to paying E60 for a triple header, E50 for a double header and E30 for a single header in the elite league.
One supporter questioned the decision to charge E85, saying: “My E85 could not have gone to a mid-month game. Where did making the game expensive help them now?” Another supporter argued that the attendance demonstrated the impact of the fee, saying fans should consider that domestic matches attract larger numbers and that supporters often attend those games with their families.
“There is no one who can pay E85 for a team that he or she doesn’t support,” the supporter said.
The comments also drew comparisons with the late former Mbabane Swallows boss Victor Gamedze’s approach to CAF matches. One supporter recalled that Gamedze had made it possible for football followers to attend Swallows’ continental assignments even when they did not support the club.
Another said Gamedze’s approach had helped attract supporters to Somhlolo for Swallows’ CAF matches, where they celebrated and admired the club’s efforts to make history.
The supporter added that Nsingizini appeared to have prioritised the financial aspect of the match, while another fan questioned the cost of attending the fixture after adding transport, cigarettes, food and drinks to the E85 entry fee.
However, one supporter pointed out that E85 was a normal matchday price in Zimbabwe.
The issue of supporter mobilisation was also raised, with one fan highlighting Scottland’s decision to provide 10 free buses for its supporters travelling from Zimbabwe. Scottland’s travelling supporters made the journey from Harare in 10 buses and provided strong support from the Southern Stand during the match.
One supporter described Nsingizini being outnumbered by Scottland fans as embarrassing while another argued that the home club should have prioritised its home-based support. A further supporter said Nsingizini could have arranged free transport for supporters to Somhlolo to increase attendance.
Another fan recalled that Swallows had previously offered free entry to supporters for CAF matches, including a midweek fixture, and said they had attended despite supporting Manzini Wanderers.
A separate supporter said they had intended to attend the Nsingizini match despite the club not being their team, but the E85 entry fee was too expensive considering it was the middle of the month.
The attendance came as Nsingizini’s CAF Champions League campaign ended following a goalless draw against Scottland. The Zimbabwean champions progressed 1-0 on aggregate after winning the first leg in Harare.
Meanwhile, Nsingizini Board member and Marketing Manager Nozipho Shabangu has revealed she has formally reported a case concerning alleged cyberbullying, harassment and defamation of character.
In a social media statement, Shabangu said she acted in accordance with the decisions, directives and mandate of the club president and Nsingizini Hotspurs.
“Following recent events and conduct directed towards me, I have decided to formally report a case concerning alleged cyberbullying, harassment and defamation of character against the parties involved,” she said.
Shabangu said the matter would now be handed over to law-enforcement authorities. “I will allow the police and the relevant authorities to investigate the matter and take the necessary steps in accordance with the law,” she said.
She further said she would not engage in further public exchanges regarding the matter, adding that she believed it was appropriate for the relevant authorities to handle it through the proper channels.
Nsingizini’s elimination was their third consecutive CAF campaign ending at the preliminary stage, following previous exits against Stellenbosch in the CAF Confederation Cup in 2024 and Simba SC in the CAF Champions League last year.
