Blantyre derby grosses K6.7 million

The K20 million (about $68 000) Standard Bank Knockout Trophy semi-final between Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers played at Silver Stadium on Saturday grossed K6 774 500 (about $23 000).

The figure, which is far below FAM’s K19 million target, has been confirmed by Central Region Football Committee (CRFC) treasurer Pyson Likagwa.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) hiked gate charges to K1 000 (about $3) for open stands and K3 000 (about $10) covered stand.

According to Likagwa, the two teams received K1 106 000.50 each (about $3 686); and the same amount went to FAM.

Despite the revenue being on the lower side, Likagwa was still positive about it: “We are pleased with the amount because the game was ably controlled. We would have difficulties controlling the crowd if the charges were low. Our focus was to control the crowd and we managed it.”

Cashiers received K472 000 (about $1 572) whereas supervisors got K637 500 (about $2 125). Police officers and stewards pocketed K531 500 (about $1 711) and K297 500 (about $991) respectively. First aiders got K35 000 (about $116), ground owners received K1 187 555 (about $395) whereas Sports Council received K237 000 (about $790).

Standard Newspaper sports reporter Elijah Phimbi said FAM missed the plot by increasing the charges.

“Had they left it at K500 for open stands as planned, the stadium would have been filled to the capacity. It was easy to control fans by deploying many police officers,” said Phimbi.

Wanderers beat Big Bullets 4-3 in penalty shoots-out, after a 1-1 draw at full-time, to move to the finals of the competition.

Joseph ‘Shakira’ Kamwendo scored the last penalty for Nomads while George Nyirenda missed the decisive penalty for the Bullets.