Prophet Magaya’s gift to Zimbabwean football

AT a time when the country needed a hero, Prophet Walter Magaya stepped up.

The stadium crisis in Zimbabwe had reached far and alarming levels with the Warriors playing their home games outside of the country.

One can only hope the World Cup qualifier against Nigeria which Zimbabwe played home away from home at the Huye Stadium in Rwanda was the last.

The commissioning of the Heart Stadium by President Mnangagwa marked a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s sports infrastructure development. Following the commissioning of the Stadium, Yadah founder and owner Prophet Walter Magaya has offered his newly-commissioned

The Heart Stadium to Ngezi Platinum Stars and Dynamos, for use in the two club’s Caf competitions next year.

Ngezi won their first Castle Lager Premier Soccer League title while DeMbare ended their nine-year trophy drought by scooping the Chibuku Super Cup. The two clubs will participate in the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup, respectively.

But with Zimbabwe not having any stadium fit to host Caf matches, Madamburo and DeMbare might find themselves playing home matches outside the country, a situation Magaya wants avoided.

The first phase was commissioned by President Mnangagwa last week and Magaya insists it will be ready for Caf matches by the first week of February next year, hence Ngezi and Dynamos can benefit.

Sports administrators, who happened to be part of the stadium tour last week, were impressed with what they saw. Mosi Rovers’ Tafadzwa Mutowa paid gratitude to Magaya for his efforts to support local football.

“All credit must go to Magaya. He is a pacesetter of note. For a club to own such a facility is such a huge achievement. If we have three more people with his vision, surely we will have some of the best football facilities on the continent. That way we will be able, as a country, to host some of these continental events. We also need to have such facilities in places like Victoria Falls where we will largely benefit from sports tourism,” said Mutowa.

Women’s football administrator Sibekiwe Ndlovu was left impressed with what she saw.

“I would say that the stadium is what Zimbabwe Football needs now. It’s a welcome development to our local football. The state-of-the-art stadium has modern facilities and a quality pitch. I managed to tour the stadium on Saturday. The dressing rooms are high quality, the doping rooms are top standard, as well as the pitch. Medical rooms are fully equipped, coaches have offices in the dressing rooms for planning purposes.

“I asked the lady who was assisting in touring the stadium how the pitch was done she explained and I was impressed with the high level of suspended pitch drainage. I hope they finish soon so that Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum may play their games here in Zimbabwe,” said Ndlovu.
Ndlovu says the facility has the potential to inspire the young generation.

“The stadium will inspire many young and upcoming players to work extra hard so that they find themselves playing on that pitch because so far in Zimbabwe that’s the best we have. Inside the dressing room, it’s just beautifully made. Amazingly, it’s the first time we have such here in Zimbabwe.

I pray and hope that our FA, individuals, corporate and Government will soon emulate Dr W Magaya and come up with even a much better stadium than the Heart Stadium, not one but many stadiums. I would have loved to see schools’ Caf games played at the heart stadium so that those kids get inspired by playing at the state-of-the-art stadium,” said Ndlovu.

Zifa Southern Region board member finance Tizirayi Luphahla was also left in awe by the stadium infrastructure.

“I used to think that Caf was unfair for not homologating our stadiums until I visited Heart Stadium, which is truly world-class. All that is required now is to increase the capacity to 15 000 or 20 000 from the current 5 000. The moment I entered, I was stunned by the stadium’s beauty. The architecture is breathtaking, and the attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the venue. A lot of effort was put into ensuring the stadium meets Caf and Fifa standards,” said Luphahla.

He says the stadium offers the paying fan a full football experience.

“I believe replicating what Prophet Magaya achieved would be a challenge for other stadium owners. His gesture also aligns with the NDS1 Health and Wellbeing initiative. The stadium boasts top-notch technology as one of its standout features. It has massive high-definition screens placed strategically in the dressing rooms to aid performance analysis. The design of the dressing room is exceptional, equipped with a proper medical room that includes a defibrillator to assist in the case of a cardiac arrest. The field is floating to improve drainage. The stadium provides an unforgettable experience,” said Luphahla.

His sentiments were echoed by Blessing Mbwanda.

“Personally, I was left impressed. When you get to view the stadium you then understand why the rest of the other stadiums are not Fifa approved. The stadium is still work in progress but everything is pointing to good. It is heartening to witness the promotion of football within Zimbabwe, where the sport holds a significant place in the hearts of many,” said Mbwanda. — @innocentskizoe