Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Eddie Chikamhi, Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE usual headaches over suitable venues to host topflight football are beginning to settle in among some domestic top-flight clubs as the start of the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League draws nearer.
With the 2025 season just under a month away, clubs and stadium owners are racing against time to get their venues ready for the matches.
In some unfortunate cases, clubs have already begun searching for alternative homes outside their localities.
In Harare, little has changed since the previous season, with five teams based in the capital scrambling for the two available venues.
The situation remains uncertain for recently promoted sides Kwekwe United and MWOS, who are among the clubs still awaiting confirmation of where they will be based for the season.
Giants Dynamos, CAPS United, Herentals, and Scottland are likely to take turns at Rufaro, while Yadah will continue to enjoy the comfort of Heart Stadium in Waterfalls.
MWOS, who gained promotion from the Southern Region after entering into a deal with ZPC Hwange, are still uncertain ahead of their debut season in the top-flight league.
The newcomers have started renovations at Ngoni Stadium, which has been their home since their days in the Zifa Northern Region Division One.
MWOS Secretary General Anyway Kanyungwe told Zimpapers Sports Hub that they have also approached Ngezi Platinum Stars for Baobab as their contingency plan.
“As of now, we are in the process of renovating Ngoni Stadium. We will issue an update next week,” he said.
“The Zifa First Instance Body will be touring the country in the coming weeks to inspect stadiums and assess their readiness for topflight football.
“We haven’t received the dates yet from the PSL regarding when they will visit for inspection.
“However, we are working on it so that by the time the games begin, we will meet the minimum standards.
“But as of now, we have Baobab as our backup. We are still awaiting confirmation from Ngezi, though,” said Kanyungwe.
Kwekwe United, promoted from the Zifa Central Region, also have ambitious plans to renovate Torwood Stadium, which has not hosted topflight games in over a decade.
Club President Phil Makekera is eager to make Torwood the club’s official home ground, although they are also considering renting either Ascot or Bata Stadium in Gweru.
“We are working on making Torwood our home ground. We hope that Torwood will be ready, barring any unforeseen challenges.
“However, I should mention that for the first four home games, we may have to use stadiums in Gweru, most likely Bata,” said Makekera.
Bikita Minerals will be travelling once again this season for their home games.
Last year, they adopted Sakubva Stadium in Mutare, but this year they plan to share Gibbo with Triangle, who have returned to the top-flight league.
The Lithium Boys have long-term plans to develop their own stadium in Bikita, but resources have been elusive.
“If everything goes according to plan, we should use Gibbo because it’s closer. Our fans will be able to come out in large numbers, so Gibbo will be ideal for us,” said Club secretary-general Collen Nikisi.
“We understand renovations have started at Gibbo, so we are confident that the stadium will be homologated. But if it isn’t, we will revert to Sakubva,” said Nikisi.
Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo is closer but may not host competitive football again in its current state, as the structure has been recommended for demolition and rebuilding.
Stadiums that could host games this coming season include Rufaro, Heart, Wadzanai, Sakubva, Luveve, Bata, Ascot, GreenFuel Arena, Nyamhunga, Mandava, Barbourfields, Baobab, and Gibbo.
Harare City Council-owned Rufaro has received a significant facelift and hosted most of the matches in Harare last season.
Stadium owners have taken advantage of the off-season to expedite the installation of bucket seats.
Council spokesperson Stanley Gama said they are working towards getting the stadium to Caf-approved standards.
“The bucket seat installation is an ongoing process. So far, the progress has been encouraging. The installation will continue even when the season begins. We are waiting for more bucket seats to arrive.
“We will temporarily close off areas undergoing renovations as and when the bucket seats arrive.
“We are working on various aspects of the stadium to ensure it meets international standards,” said Gama.
Mutare City Council also plans to install bucket seats at Sakubva. Council Town Clerk Blessing Chafesuka explained that they were forced to cancel the tender last year after receiving inflated bids.
“We had tendered for bucket seat installation at Sakubva, but the bids we received were outrageous.
“Imagine being charged US$1 million for just 320 bucket seats for the small VIP section.
“We felt it was far too exorbitant, so we had no choice but to cancel the tender and look for an alternative solution,” he said.
The National Sports Stadium may not be available this year either, as renovations are taking longer than expected.
Contractors were busy refurbishing the water reticulation system and installing bucket seats when Zimpapers Sports Hub visited last week.
Zifa President Nqobile Magwizi, whose company has been overseeing the rehabilitation, said the process had slowed to allow Caf and Fifa inspectors to assess the quality of the work before proceeding.
“It’s a process, but we are glad that the team is on the ground working.
“We just need sign-off to ensure the installations meet Caf standards. The stadiums have to pass inspections.
“Once the sign-off is given, the next phase will be to install the seats and get the stadium ready.
“Of course, other critical aspects, like the pitch, are being addressed. There are issues with plumbing, which are being attended to.
“The bucket seats are the major line item, and once that’s done, we believe the other issues can be quickly resolved,” said Magwizi.
However, PSL Acting Chief Executive Officer Rodwell Thabe is confident that the existing stadiums will be ready for the season.
“We are confident that the facilities we have will meet the standards expected by the FIB. Our grounds across the country have been undergoing renovations.
“Since the close of last season, work has been underway, and we are grateful to the government, private stakeholders, stadium owners, and councils who have undertaken much-needed work.
“It’s not easy to maintain these stadiums, but all stakeholders have come together, and we are happy with the state of the pitches.
“There will be improvements here and there, but overall, given the Club Licensing requirements we must fulfil now, I’m confident we will meet the minimum standards required,” said Thabe.
Sports and Recreation Commission Acting Director General Sebastian Garikai commended the efforts but urged private partners to collaborate with stadium owners.
“The SRC and Zifa, through the FIB, are working closely to ensure we achieve this. But it takes more than just SRC and Zifa to ensure we have adequate facilities and infrastructure for football in this country.
“With the devolution thrust and private-public partnerships, we are confident that with strong leadership from Zifa, we will attract partners to help provide facilities,” said Garikai.
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