Ngangezwe Khumalo
OnSport Reporter
FOOTBALL fans have called on the Premier Soccer League to make the establishment of a permanent electronic ticketing system (E-ticketing) following the advance ticketing system arranged for tomorrow’s blockbuster tie between MWOS and Scotland FC at Ngoni Stadium in Norton.
The PSL announced that no ticket would be sold at the venue and reports have emerged that the limited number of tickets for the game, have been sold out, while a section of fans, said the game of its magnitude deserved a bigger facility than Ngoni, which has a capacity of 6 700.
Spectators, mostly attending Highlanders games at Barbourfields Stadium, have had to endure long queues, pushing and shoving at the turnstiles with some fans getting late into the stadium.
Highlanders fan, Ngangezwe Khumalo said it would be a progressive move if E-ticketing is brought to all stadiums adding Highlanders fans would welcome the development as they are the most affected due to their huge numbers.
“We have witnessed too much chaos at the turnstiles which comes with lots of pushing, shoving and pickpocketing.”
Fortune Ndebele, another Bosso fan said one can arrive on time but due to some unruly elements who don’t want to queue they end up missing early action.
“I have missed some goals this season because of waiting for over 15 minutes in queues and I hope this is not just a once off thing for the MWOS game but it becomes a permanent feature. Another issue delaying entry is the cashiers looking for change but with the E-ticketing you don’t have to worry about that. It should be seamless and fast. I think it’s something that should have been implemented a long time ago.”
Fifi Ngwenya said he suspects there is a lot of pilferage at the gates, a loophole that E-ticketing can plug.
“We have seen some go in without paying due to collusion between the security details and cashiers and I believe with E-ticketing it will end,” he said.
Asked if the MWOS vs Scottland advance ticketing was a trial run for the rest of the league matches, PSL communications officer, Kudzai Bare said she was not in a position to comment.
In 2019, the PSL implemented an E-ticket trial-run system for a match pitting Highlanders and Dynamos at Barbourfields Stadium.
Back then the PSL said: “The system is accessible anytime for scheduled matches, improves match-day planning and is designed to enhance the overall customer convenience and experience for our football matches. The PSL will this weekend implement a trial run E-Ticketing platform for the Matchday 12 fixture between Highlanders FC vs Dynamos FC Match to be played at Barbourfields Stadium on Sunday 16 June 2019. We will further roll out the system across all Harare & Bulawayo matches from Matchday 13.”
The PSL then floated a tender in 2023 for the electronic ticketing system but it never got to fruition.
