Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
ZIMBABWE Football Association (ZIFA) president Nqobile Magwizi believes Chahwanda Stadium has the potential to host the next edition of the Mukuru 4 Nations Cup, a move that would further cement the growing reputation of the Kwekwe-based facility.
The Warriors won the 2025 Mukuru 4 Nations Cup in Botswana last March, and ZIFA is now pushing to bring the tournament to Zimbabwe. Chahwanda Stadium has emerged as one of the leading candidates to host the regional competition, although the venue is still awaiting final approval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Built by businessman Shepherd Chahwanda, the stadium has quickly become one of the country’s most talked-about football venues. CAF inspectors visited the facility in February as part of the homologation process, and ZIFA is hopeful that the necessary approval will be granted soon.
Magwizi, accompanied by ZIFA vice-president Loveness Mukura, board member responsible for Infrastructure Development Brighton Ushendibaba and marketing board member Kudzai Kadzombe, toured the stadium on a courtesy visit yesterday.
Speaking during the visit, the ZIFA president praised both the facility and the vision behind its construction.
“We want to express our gratitude to Chahwanda and the team here at Hardrock, responsible for this facility, an amazing facility. The work which has been done here is phenomenal and it speaks to black excellence,” said Magwizi.
The ZIFA boss compared Chahwanda’s contribution to football with that of the Gwanzura brothers, who built the famous Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield in the 1960s. He described the Kwekwe businessman as “a real community champion”.
Magwizi said Zimbabwe would like to host the next Mukuru 4 Nations Cup and believes Chahwanda Stadium would be an ideal venue if CAF approval is secured.
“Those of you who remember, we had the Four Nations Mukuru Cup in Botswana early this year. There is a possibility that we can convince our colleagues, so that we can have it in Zimbabwe. Definitely this is a viable venue for such a tournament if we get the homologation out of the way,” said Magwizi.
He said ZIFA remains in close contact with CAF regarding the inspection process.
“We are working closely with CAF, we brought them here in February and they left a report. We’re going to invite them again and have that homologation done. So we are grateful for the work that has been done here. We’re grateful for the sacrifice Chahwanda has put into football and the investment he has done.”
The construction of Chahwanda Stadium has brought renewed excitement to football in Kwekwe and surrounding areas. The venue is home to Premier Soccer League newcomers Hardrock, who have impressed in their debut campaign and sit second on the league table heading into Match Day 20.
The stadium has already staged several high-profile matches involving traditional giants Dynamos and Highlanders, as well as defending champions Scottland. However, one of its biggest fixtures, between Hardrock and Dynamos, was marred by crowd violence and had to be abandoned.
Magwizi used the occasion to call for greater responsibility from supporters, stressing that football fans must help protect sporting infrastructure.
“Each community member has a duty to look after these stadiums. If you look at the Japanese, after a match they pick up litter,” said Magwizi, who recently attended the FIFA Club World Cup.
He said the stadium has become more than just a football venue, serving communities from across the Midlands Province.
“He (Chahwanda) saw that the community needed somewhere to watch football and he answered the call. Look how amazing this facility is. The community in the Midlands area, from as far as Gokwe, they come and watch football here. So we are extremely grateful as ZIFA to see champions coming out of the community,” said Magwizi.
With CAF approval still pending, there is growing optimism that Chahwanda Stadium could soon host bigger football events.
The venue is already expected to stage local competitions such as the Chibuku Super Cup and the recently launched Munhumutapa Cup.
For Magwizi, facilities such as Chahwanda Stadium are key to the growth of Zimbabwean football.
“We can only grow strong as a footballing nation, thanks to Chahwanda and the team. Thank you for the work that has been done here, this is a masterpiece. We need to bring more tournaments here to Kwekwe,” added the ZIFA president.
Sidumisile Mabena