The World Cup taking place in neighbouring South Africa is the first time that world soccers most important competition is being staged on African soil.
PSL chairman Twine Phiri said they all league matches have been cancelled starting this weekend, with games expected to resume after the World Cup.
“We have taken the decision to cancel all league games to avoid counter-attraction. The games will only resume after the world cup,” he said.
Premiership clubs were left counting loses last weekend after fans decided to stay away from the matches opting to watch World Cup soccer at home.
Even perennial crowd pullers Dynamos, CAPS United and Highlanders were not spared with little crowds attending their matches last week.
Only a few thousand supporters turned up at Rufaro Stadium to watch DeMbare doing battle against Bantu Rovers last Sunday while Makepekepe and Bossos matches against Hwange and Shooting Stars respectively also failed to attract descent crowds.
“It’s disappointing. We did not get anything from our home league match against Bantu Rovers. I think it is the same with other teams who were at home like Highlanders and CAPS United,” said Dynamos chairman Farai Munetsi.
The local league has previously carried on during past World Cups. But the proximity of South Africa, the fact that it is the continents first World Cup and the large number of African teams participating appears to have combined to shut out interest in the local game with both players and fans attention drawn to the spectacle across the Limpopo.
Post published in: Football