Online Reporter
Mugove Chigada
Deputy Sports Editor
ZIMBABWE will have to wait a bit longer before the Warriors and CAF Champions League representative Simba Bhora can start playing matches in the country.
A Confederation of African Football (CAF) statement yesterday, which seemed to give the National Sports Stadium the green light to host Under- 17 to Under-23 international matches, had given the football fraternity a glimmer of hope.
Despite the oversight, indications are that there is a lot of goodwill from CAF on the direction being taken by football, with support from the Government, which has seen millions of US dollars invested to ensure the National Sports Stadium renovations are brought to speed.
The Warriors and clubs in the CAF competitions have been playing matches on foreign land as a result of a lack of CAF-certified stadiums for international matches.
As things stand, Zimbabwe will host Rwanda at Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, for the upcoming crucial FIFA World Cup Qualifier in September. The venue for the showdown with Bafana Bafana in October is yet to be confirmed but is unlikely to be in Harare. Simba Bhora, facing Nsingizi Hotspurs from Eswatini in the CAF Champions League first preliminary round in September, will play both matches away from Zimbabwe. The positive news for Zimbabwe, however, is that a CAF delegation has been confirmed for next month to assess the progress of renovations being done at National Sports Stadium by the Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Ministry. Yesterday a source closer to CAF operations highlighted that the inclusion of National Sports Stadium among facilities given the green light in certain competitions will be corrected.
“As it stands, the National Sports Stadium is undergoing renovations and chances are it will only be cleared by the end of the year, but more certainly next year. That is what is practical at the moment and it is known. This was just an oversight,” said the official.
“So there is no chance Simba Bhora will play in Harare in the preliminary stages and there is also no chance the Warriors will play Rwanda or South Africa in Harare, as things stand. You have to look at renovations underway to understand the situation. But obviously the Confederation is pleased something is being done about the stadium situation.” ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi said as beneficiaries of the stadium being renovated by Government and the ministry, they remain optimistic.
“What is important is that there is a lot of goodwill from CAF. That is very important for us and we are grateful of the efforts being put by the ministry and contractors on the ground,” Magwizi told Zimpapers Sports Hub. “We are keeping CAF updated on all the developments. The positive development is that we are expecting a CAF delegation next month to assess the facility. Ideally, we would want the stadium homologated as soon as possible.”
Bucket seats at the National Sports Stadium have already been installed while the contractors are working on the pitch and drainage, among other key areas pointed out by CAF. Asked about progress, Magzwizi said, “Remember, we are just beneficiaries and we continue to lobby for the renovations to be completed. We were happy that the Finance Ministry indicated they released funds to that effect. So as beneficiaries, we will also be waiting for the official update from the Ministry.”
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select take on their Zambian counterparts in the Defence Forces Trophy at Rufaro this afternoon.
Coach Weddington Thomas Chinyan’anya believes his men are primed for victory.
“We have prepared well for the Zambians in commemoration of the Defence Forces Day,” he said. “Our expectation is to win for our bosses as we celebrate our day and also we want to win it for Zimbabwe.”Last year, a locally based Warriors team edged the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select to lift the 2024 Defence Forces Day trophy.
Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select
First XI: GK Polite Sibanda (Chapungu), RB Pelembe Maruza (Chapungu), LB Tapiwa Antonio (Rhinos), CB Philip Chamunorwa (Chapungu), CB Guidance Chirinda (Rhinos), DM Tumo Ndimandi (Chapungu), AM Willard Zakeo (Rhinos), RW Leeroy Bernard (Chapungu), LW Ignatious Mavende (Rhinos), ST Sausani Mugimba (Chapungu), ST Nigel Hunga (Rhinos)
Substitutes: GK Simon Nyama (Buffaloes), Hamond Muchingami (Chapungu), Believe Mudzangwe (Chapungu)
Clive Kufandaiwuye (Rhinos), Shelton Mhaka (Rhinos), Nigel Gezani (Buffaloes), Divine Sibanda (Chapungu), Sylon Chikwerengwe (Rhinos)
Technical Officials
Coach: Weddington Thomas Chinyan’anya
1st Assistant: Tererai Zinyowera
2nd Assistant: Wilbert Sarireni
GK Coach: Philip Ruzive
Medic: Action Muganda
Medic: Tendai Ngwenya
Fitness Trainer: Blessing Zabula
Team Manager: Lyon Tsiga
Peter Tanyanyiwa