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Eddie Chikamhi
Senior Sports Reporter
HARARE giants Dynamos could return to their favourite Rufaro hunting ground by the end of the month should Harare City Council meet their timelines in the renovations currently taking place at the venue.
The stadium has been closed for the last four years after it was condemned by both CAF and local stadium inspectors as unfit to host topflight football matches.
But authoritative sources yesterday gave an encouraging update on the refurbishments, after four months of investment by the local council.
The Premier Soccer League and ZIFA delegations are this morning expected to conduct a tour to the facility where they will get a briefing from the Harare authorities and the stadium contractors. The City Council has previously missed no less than three deadlines they had set for themselves.
“Rufaro is almost ready to host Premiership games. Of course there is still some way to go for it to be considered for international matches because things like bucket seats and so forth are not there yet. But in its state it is now close to being allowed to host local games.
“The remaining areas will be worked on while the matches will be taking place, since we are currently facing a shortage of grounds.
“If all goes well, the stadium could be handed over to the football authorities on July 24. So this could be good news for teams like Dynamos. There is going to be a tour of the stadium tomorrow morning (today),” said the source.
Dynamos and crosstown rivals CAPS United had found asylum at Barbourfields in Bulawayo after the National Sports Stadium became available last month.
Eight teams were crammed at the giant facility until the turf began to give in. DeMbare played their first home game at Barbourfields last week when they hosted FC Platinum in a goalless draw.
The Glamour Boys find themselves hopping from one big match to the other as they travel to Bulawayo again tomorrow for the clash with 2015 champions Chicken Inn at Barbourfields.
DeMbare have met with mixed fortunes in their quest to end the championship drought. But they will have to do with playing their home games in Bulawayo at the moment.
For the second week on the bounce, they use air travel, much to the delight of coach Hebert Maruwa who does not have to worry much about issues of fatigue.
“I’m happy the club managed to source the way of travelling. We are not using road and it’s helping us in terms of recovery. Rather than travelling by road, we are going by air, so it means in terms of recovery we are covered,” said Maruwa.
DeMbare are currently fifth on the log standings, tied on 22 points with their opponents Chicken Inn but with a superior goal difference. They welcome back in the fold captain Frank Makarati along with defender Elvis Moyo and striker Jayden Bakare. Winger Lewis Matindife is doing light training while Brandon Moyo is still out injured.
“The team is in good shape. We are playing Chicken Inn away from home in Bulawayo after playing a goalless draw against FC Platinum. It’s another tough test,” said Maruwa.
“We need to make sure we prepare ourselves well and get a positive result.
“I think right now we need points to make sure we keep in touch with the leading teams. So for us to achieve our goal at the end of the season for us to be champions we need to beat the champions.
“Chicken Inn won the league in 2015 and they are a good side. So, we need to be at our best,” said Maruwa.
Fixtures:
Saturday: Manica Diamonds v Cranborne Bullets (Gibbo), FC Platinum v Yadah (Mandava), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Simba Bhora (Baobab), ZPC Kariba v Sheasham (Nyamhunga), Chicken Inn v Dynamos (Barbourfields), CAPS United v GreenFuel (Bata Stadium)
Sunday: Triangle v Bulawayo Chiefs (Gibbo), Black Rhinos v Hwange (Bata), Herentals v Highlanders (Mandava)
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