Online Reporter
Mukudzei Chingwere-Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT has up-scaled the final refurbishment works at the National Sports Stadium, raising hopes that the giant facility could make its long-awaited re-opening.
This in turn could pave way for the return of international football to the stadium, should the facility pass a Confederation of African Football inspection, tentatively set for the end of next month.
But it is the revelations that the re-opening of the stadium is on the horizon, which should excite the sporting family and particularly the football fraternity.
Government confirmed after a Cabinet meeting yesterday, that the upgrades, which include the installation of bucket seats, an improved drainage system and laying of fresh natural grass, are nearing completion.
The confirmation by Cabinet ministers has fuelled optimism from the football fraternity that the stadium will be ready this time to pass the CAF test.
This is a crucial step for Zimbabwean football, as it aims to host international matches that have been side-lined due to the stadium’s previous condition.
Renovations began several months ago, with a commitment to meet international standards and enhance the overall experience for players and fans alike.
The introduction of bucket seats is expected to increase sitting comfort, while the improved drainage system will help mitigate issues related to adverse weather conditions which cause water logging in rainy seasons.
“Work is in progress to refurbish the National Sports Stadium in Harare Metropolitan Province, with the stadia bucket seats having been installed and installation of a new draining system for the new turf having been completed,” Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Jenfan Muswere said.
Fielding questions from the media after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Skills Audit and Development Professor Paul Mavima said the stadium will be ready in a few weeks.
“What we have been informed in Cabinet is that the bucket seats are complete and the work on the drain-age is ongoing but we understand that it will be done very soon,” said Mavima.
“We hear that maybe by next week they will be already rebuilding the turf, that is putting the natural grass on the field. “So, we are expecting that the stadium should be ready in a few weeks from now because the work on putting the natural grass on the turf is starting next week which means the drainage system will be done which was the major issue after the bucket seats.”
Electronic turnstiles, modern dressing rooms, anti-doping rooms, media tribune, improved floodlighting and enhanced safety and security systems were some of the items that CAF have always demanded for the National Sports Stadium to be granted the rights to host A-Grade international matches which include the Warriors and Mighty Warriors assignments.
Local football authorities have welcomed the news, expressing optimism that the upgrades will not only facilitate international fixtures but also inspire a new generation of players and fans.
For ZIFA, a return of international football to the National Sports Stadium will mean huge cuts in expenditure which the association have had to grapple with. ZIFA have been forced to host the Warriors Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers in different countries due to the absence of a CAF-certified stadium.
In just one financial year between 2023-24, ZIFA’s expenditure rose dramatically as the Warriors hosted their assignments in Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa. According to the latest financial statement from ZIFA, there was a necessary increase in total expenses to $3,702,495 in 2024, up from $1,523,312 in 2023 (largely due to higher spending on international competitions and administration).
While ZIFA’s Normalisation Committee had all their financial requirements catered for by FIFA, Nqobile Magwizi’s leadership who came into office on January 25, would have to scour an otherwise tough operating environment to secure funding and ensure the Warriors complete their World Cup qualification assignments without any glitches.
Magwizi and his executive would also have to aggressively fundraise for the Warriors’ preparations for the 2025 Nations Cup competition scheduled for Morocco at the end of December.
And just to illustrate the impact of the absence of the National Sports Stadium on ZIFA, they have had to hire Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South African for the Warriors next home World Cup assignment, a date against the Rwanda Wasps on September 9.
ZIFA would also have to cater for the travel, accommodation and food of the support staff and also hire for-eign security teams for the successful staging of such matches.
