Online Reporter
Curtworth Masango
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi is a man who has presided over a number of infrastructure projects over the years.
But among his tasks in charge of the country’s football mother body, Magwizi and his executive committee have been hard at work trying to persuade municipalities and other stadium owners including government to expedite the sprucing of venues that could be used for the top-flight and international games.
It is against this background that the ZIFA boss, accompanied by his board member Brighton Ushendibaba, were this week charmed by the progress at Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe.
Magwizi and Ushendibaba visited the Midlands town to get an appreciation of the project, which Kwekwe businessman Shepherd Chahwanda and his partner Prophet Walter Magaya have undertaken in building a stadium of international standards.
And at the end of the visit, Magwizi was left hopeful that Chahwanda would secure the approval of the Confederation of African Football.
The stadium was initially expected to be ready by the end of this month but increasing its seating capacity meant the time frame has also been increased.
The stadium, initially designed to accommodate 10 000 spectators, has been expanded to 15 000.
During the tour of the stadium, Magwizi expressed his admiration for the project.
Magwizi praised Prophet Walter Magaya, the brain behind the project, for his exceptional work.
“We thank you for such an amazing job,” Magwizi said.
“When I passed through here a few months ago, there was nothing, and coming today and seeing all this, it’s really impressive.”
The ZIFA president emphasised the need for adequate football infrastructure in Zimbabwe, highlighting the country’s current shortage of suitable stadiums.
However, Magwizi believes that projects like the Chahwanda Stadium demonstrate a bright future for the national game.
The stadium is expected to meet CAF’s minimum requirements, which would enable Zimbabwe to host some international matches.
“Projects like this show that we have a bright future and this is very impressive.
“We have travelled to see stadiums abroad and this matches the quality we have seen.
“Unfortunately, as Zimbabweans we have a tendency of undermining what we are capable of doing but here is black excellence.”
Magaya pleaded with ZIFA to engage the government to also chip in with assistance in any possible way.
“We have stakeholders who are behind this project, as the name of the stadium can tell. There is a man behind this project who has all the glory we are seeing today Mr Shepherd Chahwanda and his family as well with his company.
“For one to sit down and say there is a need for the country to have a stadium and bring in the solution with such a vision, it is more than corporate responsibility and we hope that through ZIFA we will engage the government to try to help us.
“It’s our prayer that little recognition can come to such projects like this one.
“All this material you are seeing here was acquired without any rebates on duty nor being duty free.
“We are trying to add value in this country but we are just looking forward to small assistance,’’ said Magaya.
Magaya set the tone with his construction of The Heart stadium in Waterfalls, which is now the home of Premiership outfit Yadah Stars.
