From the Sidelines: Need for support at football ?nal

THERE has been a lot of talk surrounding the MTC Cup ?nal, which will see African Stars taking on Orlando Pirates at the Independence Stadium tomorrow.

A lot of Stars supporters have been really vocal and some were already claiming that the cup will be displayed in the Stars cabinet trophy, which is virtually empty at this stage. No offence to Stars though, as they are one of the oldest clubs in the country, and have an illustrious history which has seen some of the ?nest players donning the team’s colours.But one of the major problems that I ?nd with the team is the little support they receive from their many supporters, who are scattered all over the country.Some of the fans are never satis?ed with the results that the team produces, but are also nowhere to be seen at the stadium.It is really disturbing to have big-talking fans who do not ?nd their way to the stadiums to support their team.It is true that Stars are among the top three teams with the biggest support bases in the country, but this is only talk with no visibility.A team such as Stars needs its people to be present at the games to cheer the side on.Orlando Pirates won their ?nal against Ramblers last year because their supporters came out in numbers to rally behind their team.I give credit to the Stars supporters who make an effort to come to the team’s matches and who sometimes travel with the team wherever it plays.These people are making a difference, but I think a bigger difference in terms of the team’s performance can be made when all the ardent supporters make their way to the stadium.It is already guaranteed that the Pirates supporters will be there in their thousands, but I would like to see if the Stars supporters can be as vocal and supportive as their Pirates counterparts.Not that the Stars supporters do not shout for their team, but they need to put in more effort, as the team is in involved in one of its biggest cup ?nals in years.Generally, Namibian football supporters are not very vocal, but it is important to note that a festive atmosphere also brings the best in footballers.Players tend to go the extra mile and produce the goods when they have people who are urging them on.It will be a memorable ?nal if Stars come out tops, as they have never won the competition, but they have played in the 1996 ?nal against Tigers, which they lost.Stars supporters have the duty to make this a reality if they all make it to the stadium, while Pirates as defending champions can rest assured about the presence of their fanatics.The gates open at 12h00 tomorrow and people need to come early enough to avoid stampedes at the gates.The usual ?ve minutes before kick-off habit that is often the tradition among many football lovers should be avoided.There is also a women’s football match at 15h00, which will see the crowning of the Khomas Women’s Football League champions.Pirates of?cial Mabos Ortmann said that the club would also celebrate the ?rst anniversary of their Sport Bar in Katutura.He said all are invited and that a jazz band will be performing live at 20h00 on Sunday.Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Manchester United fans will be hoping for their team to lift the FA Cup title on the day when they take on Chelsea.Chelsea will be going home empty handed this season if they fail to win the FA Cup, while it will be an added bonus to Man United to take it, as they have already won the league title.My money this weekend will be on Stars and Manchester United.No offence to Stars though, as they are one of the oldest clubs in the country, and have an illustrious history which has seen some of the ?nest players donning the team’s colours.But one of the major problems that I ?nd with the team is the little support they receive from their many supporters, who are scattered all over the country.Some of the fans are never satis?ed with the results that the team produces, but are also nowhere to be seen at the stadium.It is really disturbing to have big-talking fans who do not ?nd their way to the stadiums to support their team.It is true that Stars are among the top three teams with the biggest support bases in the country, but this is only talk with no visibility.A team such as Stars needs its people to be present at the games to cheer the side on.Orlando Pirates won their ?nal against Ramblers last year because their supporters came out in numbers to rally behind their team.I give credit to the Stars supporters who make an effort to come to the team’s matches and who sometimes travel with the team wherever it plays.These people are making a difference, but I think a bigger difference in terms of the team’s performance can be made when all the ardent supporters make their way to the stadium.It is already guaranteed that the Pirates supporters will be there in their thousands, but I would like to see if the Stars supporters can be as vocal and supportive as their Pirates counterparts.Not that the Stars supporters do not shout for their team, but they need to put in more effort, as the team is in involved in one of its biggest cup ?nals in years.Generally, Namibian football supporters are not very vocal, but it is important to note that a festive atmosphere also brings the best in footballers.Players tend to go the extra mile and produce the goods when they have people who are urging them on.It will be a memorable ?nal if Stars come out tops, as they have never won the competition, but they have played in the 1996 ?nal against Tigers, which they lost.Stars supporters have the duty to make this a reality if they all make it to the stadium, while Pirates as defending champions can rest assured about the presence of their fanatics.The gates open at 12h00 tomorrow and people need to come early enough to avoid stampedes at the gates.The usual ?ve minutes before kick-off habit that is often the tradition among many football lovers should be avoided.There is also a women’s football match at 15h00, which will see the crowning of the Khomas Women’s Football League champions.Pirates of?cial Mabos Ortmann said that the club would also celebrate the ?rst anniversary of their Sport Bar in Katutura.He said all are invited and that a jazz band will be performing live at 20h00 on Sunday.Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Manchester United fans will be hoping for their team to lift the FA Cup title on the day when they take on Chelsea.Chelsea will be going home empty handed this season if they fail to win the FA Cup, while it will be an added bonus to Man United to take it, as they have already won the league title.My money this weekend will be on Stars and Manchester United.