Fans Embrace Amaechi Cup …As Matches Record Impressive Turn Outs

The ongoing street football competition among clubs within the Old Township and Borokiri axis of Port Harcourt tagged Amachi Cup has continued to witness impressive turn out of fans daily.

There has been full capacity crowd in each of the daily three matches at the No1 Field, which has raised a question on the near empty seats seen on league match days at the Liberation and Sharks FC Stadia when Dolphins and Sharks FCs played.

Speaking with Joy Amachree, one of the ticket sellers at the Amaechi Cup match venue, she said that the attendance has really been encouraging.

According to her, the impressive turnout may not be unconnected with the affinity between the players and spectators, as most of the players are known to the fans. They are either friends or relatives of those playing and they came to see them in action.

“In my own opinion,  I feel that people came to the field (No 1) to watch their friends, brothers and neighbours.

“I will also say that the gate fee is low, as the fans pay only one hundred naira for three matches a day, that contributes to the huge attendance,” Amachree said.

Amachree appealed to the coaches of both Dolphins and Sharks FCs to engage Rivers players, who are good enough to attract spectators to the stadium any time they are playing league matches.

“I believe that people do not go to watch Sharks and Dolphins at their different venues because they don’t have their brothers, friends and neighbours playing for either team.”

Tonye Orabere