FC Platinum, Pirates match marred by chaos

Scores of people carrying complimentary tickets and privilege cards were forced to make a u-turn at Barbourfields Stadium owing to the chaos that marred the entry points yesterday (Saturday) as Zimbabwean champions FC Platinum took on Orlando Pirates of South Africa in a CAF Champions League group phase opener.

In what was arguably one of the biggest fixtures at Barbourfields Stadium in which the Pure Platinum Play’s technical department led by Norman Mapeza managed to go pound for pound with their more illustrious opponents to force a share of the spoils, the same was not the case in terms of the management of the event.

It was always expected that there would be a bumper crowd, with a good number already allocated complimentary tickets to the VIP as well as privilege cards.

The gate 3 entry point was designated for these two groups, only for it to be converted to a pay point at the eleventh hour in what caused serious chaos outside.

The pushing and shoving that erupted at that turnstile saw a lot of these privilege cards and complimentary ticket holders failing to access the match venue with some heading back home to watch on television.

ZIFA vice president Gift Banda had to use the pushing and shoving route to also access the stadium while a host of football stakeholders remained locked outside.

Some of those who suffered this poor organisation included the Warriors team manager Wellington Mpandare, former Warriors players Benjani Mwaruwari and Zenzo Moyo, scribes Robson Sharuko and Hope Chizuzu and ZBC’s Sibongumusa Dhlodhlo.

Events management abilities were called to question with the need to ensure such does not happen in the future because if unchecked could result in stampedes that can lead to needless loss of life.