Facelift for Sakubva Stadium

Senior Sports Reporter
MUTARE City Council is committed to renovate the derelict Sakubva Stadium to meet the standards required by the Premier Soccer League before the 2015 season commences, says Mutare mayor Tatenda Nhamarare.

Football fans in Mutare were alarmed last week after the Zifa grounds committee condemned three stadiums — all owned by municipalities — Mutare’s Sakubva Stadium, Gweru’s Ascot Stadium and Barbourfields in Bulawayo.

However, the top-flight league chief executive, Kenny Ndebele, absolved Barbourfields, saying there are minor renovations needed unlike Sakubva and Ascot, which were said to be in an atrocious state.

Over the years, Sakubva has always faced challenges in getting approval by PSL, though some last-minute boardroom decisions would see the venue somehow being allowed to host PSL matches, while Ascot Stadium became a matter of concern last season when it hosted cup matches with the goal nets having a number of torn patches.

“Sakubva and Ascot are really in bad shape and if we are to take our football forward, we can’t be seen using the two venues. We aren’t and we haven’t banned Barbourfields Stadium as might have been perceived, but the home team dugout isn’t in its proper place. There might be a need to move it a few metres to the right,” said the Premier Soccer League head of secretariat Ndebele recently.

With Sakubva and Ascot banned, Mutare soldiers Buffaloes and Gweru airmen Chapungu will need to find alternative venues for their 2015 campaigns unless the two municipalities renovate their facilities. However, Mutare mayor Nhamarare admitted that the state of the stadium is appalling, but the local authority is already in the process of gathering material needed to refurbish the city’s only sound soccer venue.

Much to the relief of Buffaloes faithful, Nhamarare said he was confident that the stadium would be ready to host Castle Lager Premiership matches by the time the season starts. “We are aware that the state of the stadium is not pleasing at all.

“It needs renovations to be able to meet the standards set by PSL. In fact, PSL have written to us indicating that the stadium risks being banned from hosting Premiership matches if it is not refurbished and we took note of that.

“As we speak, we have already started the process of acquiring material needed to renovate the stadium. We have no doubt that we will be able to meet, at least, their minimum required standards by the time the season starts this year.

“Areas that need serious attention include the perimeter fence, the dressing rooms, the security wall as well as the turf on the field of play. The turf is not very bad, but it needs touch-ups.

“We are expecting their grounds inspection committee again before the season starts,” Nhamarare said.