Around any sport scene, there are mainly two participants or actors; the player (sport idol) and the sport fan (supporter) wherein one cannot do without the other. In fact in football circles, the fan is always regarded as the 12th player. Behind these main actors (player and fan) there are other stakeholders like staff and volunteers, board, management, and commercial partners or sponsors. Although they far outnumber the rest of these stakeholders, one would be in doubt if all decisions taken at the board and management level are ever in the best interest of the devoted fan. Club administrators argue engaging fans in decision-making often attracts a diverse range of opinions just within one club, which could be counter-productive. Fans invest deeply in their teams, but the emotional highs and lows can sometimes lead to extreme stress and even health risks like cardiac arrests. Just like with their favourite sport stars and teams, heartbreak and glory are part of any sport always waiting on the sidelines for them. Beyond all this, there is something called destiny.
Die-hard fans and their crazy acts
In the context of being a fan, a 'die-hard' is deeply dedicated to a team or sport, musician, actor, or any other subject of their admiration with both positive and negative psychological impacts. This term often indicates a deep and enduring commitment to the object of their fandom. However, intense fandom can also lead to negative consequences such as anxiety, stress, and aggression. It gives them a sense of purpose and a sense of fulfilment. The adrenaline, passion, happiness, sadness, and everything else that comes with being a sports fan is some sort of social identity. In all honesty, it is a lifestyle that many a sport-fan can relate to. People who are not sports fans simply would not understand. The mishandling of seating arrangements by the National Stadium’s management left fans frustrated following the recent resumption of the Premiership League with its new title sponsor, First National Bank Botswana (FNBB) when their VIP seats were occupied by others. It is such mix-ups and careless attitudes from stadium management that have easily led to unwarranted occurrences as we have often witnessed some ugly scenes from irritated fans who would normally feel short-changed, and rightly so. Such mess should be avoided at all costs, as we have often seen just how little a spark such incidents could ignite into uncontrollable inferno. For example, a referee’s inadvertent or poor decision could suddenly snowball into a tragic event as witnessed at various football games across the entire globe over the years.
Here at home, chaos erupted during a soccer game between Naledi Swallows of Ledumadumane and Green Birds of Mmopane at Ledumadumane grounds. The fraças left two fans dead. The referee had to stop the game before running for his life when the game turned violent between fans of opposing teams. This scene at these grounds was reminiscent of fan violence at soccer matches has a history in neighbouring South Africa. Forty-three people died and 158 were hurt in a stampede during a match between Chiefs and the Orlando Pirates in 2001 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. Further afield, most football fanatics would recall that harrowing incident of July 2, 1994, when Colombian soccer star Andrés Escobar was allegedly murdered by an aggrieved fan who had placed a bet on Colombia’s win. Escobar’s tragic end was in the aftermath of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, reportedly as retaliation for having scored an own goal which contributed to Colombia's elimination from the tournament.
Unrewarded 'showbiz' fan
Some fans have entertained crowds selflessly but received little recognition or reward. The most notable figures were the likes of veteran player Percy 'Sledge' Kgwaadira, Come and Draw Cheques (CDC), and lately Paparampa at Township Rollers FC. Approached for comment, former Notwane FC player Mothusi 'Baezar' Lekalake would remind us of passionate fans like the late Hugh Mogwe, boRre Lebang Mpotokwane, Pontius Mokgosana, and boMme Potsanyane and Ausi Lucy Gulubane at Notwane FC aka Sechaba. At Gaborone United (GU) FC, there was the maverick Bond Maemo, always donning that scruffy hair. Perhaps amongst the worst case of this unrewarded cohort is that of Paparampa who now cuts a very sorry state with signs of poor health besieging him. MmegiSport probed Township Rollers’ official Bafana Phempheretlhe Pheto if they were aware of Paparampa’s state and what they were doing about it. “Yes, we had always been aware of his plight, but for some time his case had been handled by the Metsimotlhabe branch, which we have only just recently become aware of their inactivity,” Pheto remarked. It is only befitting that fan loyalty should be reciprocally rewarded in one form or another as we have seen in other parts of the world. Elsewhere, these ardent fans are either rewarded with open-season tickets or have some social amenities extended to them.
Fans being put on the edge
From below-average, bad performances to missed chances of their respective favourite teams, fans often endure nerve-wracking moments, such as penalty shootouts, where the fate of their teams, like at the recently ended AFCON 2025, the Mighty Zebras' qualification hanging in the balance. The last two Zebras’ qualifying games had not been easy games to watch for their loyal fans as their team had left their qualification right up to the very last seconds of the last game against Egypt. In the end, the gallant Zebbie would sneak through, thanks to their fans’ tightly crossed fingers, faith, and prayers.
