Online Reporter
Tongai Mashonga
THE Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Nicholas Moyo, toured the newly built Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe on Thursday, accompanied by officials from the ministry’s Head Office and the Midlands provincial office.
The stadium, owned by mining magnate Shepherd Chahwanda in partnership with Prophet Walter Magaya, will serve as the home ground for Hardrock Football Club. If homologated by the Confederation of African Football (Caf), the venue will be eligible to host Caf inter-club competitions.
Speaking after the tour, Moyo said plans were being finalised for an official opening of the facility.
“We are here because there will be a grand official opening of this facility. We want a proper launch and are working towards February 28 as requested by Prophet Magaya and Mr Chahwanda. Our teams are working to make sure everything is in place,” said Moyo.
He said even if the proposed date is not met, the opening could still take place after the stadium begins hosting league matches.
“Like ZITF, which is officially opened after a few days of activity, we can still have the official launch even after matches have started. I am confident with the level of completion. The stadium is ready for its first match on March 8. Officials from the ministry will meet the Chahwanda Trust to prepare for the opening,” he said.
Moyo said the facility is 98 percent complete and ready for use. He added that homologation would allow the venue to host Caf inter-club matches, pointing to potential fixtures involving Scottland FC and Dynamos FC later this year.
“My visit was to assess the stadium’s readiness as we prepare to invite Caf for inspection. The ministry has worked closely with Chahwanda throughout construction to ensure the facility meets Caf requirements. At 98 percent completion, we are ready to invite Caf, which will be a major milestone for this stadium,” he said.
He noted that Zimbabwean clubs have previously played their Caf home matches outside the country because Zimbabwe had no approved stadium.
“Teams have had to play home games in Botswana because we lacked Caf compliant stadiums. We must focus on building infrastructure for clubs as well. The aim is for regional matches involving teams like Scottland FC and Dynamos FC to be played here in Kwekwe,” said Moyo.
He also praised private sector investment in sports infrastructure and urged the community to take ownership of the facility.
“As Government, we welcome private individuals who are investing their own resources to support national development goals. Facilities like this must benefit the local community. My plea is for residents to help protect and maintain the stadium to avoid vandalism,” he said.
Prophet Walter Magaya said preparations for the official opening were on course and highlighted the economic benefits the stadium could bring.
“We are ready for the official opening. This project brings excitement because of employment opportunities and the growth of football in the Midlands province. The support from the ministry and the city council has been strong,” said Magaya.
The new facility positions Kwekwe as an emerging football hub, with expectations growing ahead of its first competitive matches.
