Online Reporter
By Tongai Mashonga
Zimbabwe Football Association (Zifa) president, Nqobile Magwizi, expressed his satisfaction with the rapid progress being made at Chahwanda Stadium- Heart Main Arena which is currently under construction in Kwekwe.
Magwizi toured the 15 000-seater facility in Kwekwe on Tuesday, accompanied by Zifa, Projects and Infrastructure Committee, chairperson, Brighton Ushendibaba while being led by Prophet Walter Magaya and Shepherd Chahwanda proprietor of the facility.
During his tour of the facility, Magwizi was impressed by the sheer scale and quality of the work being done.
“I am thrilled to see immense progress taking place here at Chahwanda Stadium,” Magwizi said.
“The stadium is going to be a game changer for Zimbabwean football, and I am confident that it will host many international matches.
“I never imagined that they will be something like this in Kwekwe. I express my gratitude to Prophet Walter Magaya and his team for such an amazing job that has been done so far. When I passed through this place on my way to my rural home a few months ago there was nothing, and today seeing this infrastructure in place is really impressive.”
Magwizi said Zifa was keen on having adequate infrastructure for the game.
Magwizi revealed that the completion of the facility will mark the return of international football at home as he will communicate with the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to arrange for preliminary assessment of the stadium.
“We want to ensure that Chahwanda Stadium meets the international standards, and we will communicate with CAF, to arrange for a preliminary assessment of the stadium. By engaging Caf at this early stage, we can ensure that the stadium is fully compliant with their requirements, and we can avoid any potential issues of delay.
“When they come for final inspection of the stadium, they will just tick all the boxes. If the stadium is completed in the next few months to come this will mark our return to playing international matches at home. I am hoping that in the few months to come when the stadium is complete we will have something big here.
“This facility has an array of amenities, it’s a lifestyle centre with amenities ranging from entertainment, shopping, health facility, gym and a provision of administration offices for Zifa,” said Magwizi.
The founder of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries (PHD), Prophet Walter Magaya revealed that the initial completion date of the stadium has been moved from the earlier targeted end of March to May.
“We have since revised the date of completing construction of the stadium from the earlier targeted date of end of March to May. This is due to the decision to increase the capacity of the stadium from the earlier targeted 10 000 seating capacity to 15 000, which is the minimum carrying capacity recommended by Fifa for hosting national teams’ matches,” said Magaya.
Magaya also appealed for duty and rebates assistance when importing materials for construction at the stadium.
“We bought all these material here on our own, no duty free, no tax rebates but we are trying by all means to add value in our country’s football development. We are looking forward to a small assistance but your coming here as a football leader is a great inspiration which motivates us to do more”, said Magaya.
