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Don Makanyanga
ZIMBABWE’S representatives in the 2024-25 edition of the Caf Champions League tournament, Ngezi Platinum Stars are today set to decide on an adopted home ground to use for their African Safari campaign.
The Zimbabwean champions will host Democratic Republic of Congo side, AS Maniema in the first match of the preliminary round during the weekend of August 16-18.
Zimbabwe does not have a Caf-approved stadium forcing both Ngezi Platinum and Dynamos to look for venues in neighbouring countries.
Dynamos have already settled for the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg for their Caf Confederation Cup matches.
Ngezi Platinum Stars vice-president (technical), Lysias Chiwozva told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday that Zimbabwe’s Champions League representativeS were yet to decide which ground will host their matches.
A decision is expected today.
He revealed that the club had approached stadium authorities in South Africa and Zambia.
“Last week we received a list of Africa’s homologated stadia and Zimbabwe was not there and out of the countries that were on the list our interest is in two countries, South Africa and Zambia.
“We are still actively engaging the stadium owners and we gave them up to tomorrow (today) for the responses and we have already sent the information that they have requested from us and will make the decision on Friday (today),” said Chiwozva.
He revealed that talks with authorities were going well as they explore their options. Ngezi Platinum have already been linked with the use of Rustenburg’s Royal Bafokeng Stadium in South Africa, which was home to their sister club Platinum Stars.
“What we are doing now is to explore options on each one of them.
“Zambia has two stadia Levy Mwanawasa in Ndola and Heroes Stadium in Lusaka. We have South Africa, which is not short of any stadia and we have already placed our feelers there.
“Unlike Dynamos who have received their response we are yet to receive ours and we are waiting for the response from both South Africa and Zambia,” he said.
He hinted that if given the Zambian option, the Zimbabwe champions will opt for Heroes Stadium in Lusaka.
“We sent our request for the use of the two stadia in Zambia with a preference of Lusaka because of the logistics, Heroes Stadium will be our preferred stadium for us and we did the same thing with the South Africa stadia and we are still waiting for the response with fine detail,” said Chiwozva.
Online Reporter