adminTawanda Mangoma, Lowveld Correspondent
THE Chiredzi Town Council has announced plans to revamp Tshovani Stadium into a state-of-the-art football facility. They want it to be Chiredzi FC’s home ground. At the moment the football club is using Chishamiso Stadium deep into the Hippo Valley Estates, far from Chiredzi town. Chishamiso Stadium belongs to Tongaat Hullet who used to own Hippo Valley FC who were promoted to the Premiership but later relinquished the franchise to the community.
Fans from Chiredzi travel more than 5km to watch matches.
Chiredzi town secretary Charles Muchatukwa said Tshovani Stadium was one of the town’s cash cows hence the decision by council to refurbish the facility.
Muchatukwa who is also the chairman of Chiredzi FC, said the refurbished ground will be the home ground for the team as it is where the people are.
“Tshovani Stadium used to bring in a lot of revenue to council when it was in good state and the perimeter fence as well as the precast wall were intact. Now some sections of the pre-cast wall and the perimeter fence have been vandalised. We want to undertake a serious facelift so that it meets PSL standards,” said Muchatukwa.
He said since Chiredzi FC was now a community team, it was crucial to bring it closer to the owners.
Chiredzi FC Supporters Association chairman Bernard Dutcher welcomed the development saying it would increase the attendance at Chiredzi FC matches.
“The idea to refurbish Tshovani Stadium is a good move because most fans are in Chiredzi. Many people will just walk to the stadium as opposed to boarding buses all the way to Chishamiso,” said Dutcher.
Online Reporter