tawandamusarurwa
Langton Nyakwenda
THERE was a time when top-flight football matches were played in all the major towns and centres across the country.
Towns like Kwekwe, Kadoma, Marondera and Chitungwiza would provide venues for Premier Soccer League battles.Baghdad, Rimuka, Rudhaka and Chibuku were some of the famous venues.
But, thanks to some shocking negligence by local councils, who own most of these stadiums, top-flight football no longer graces most of these centres.
Maglas in Zvishavane, Vengere in Rusape, Sakubva in Mutare and Dulibadzimu in Beitbridge are now considered unfit to host PSL matches.
For the first time in the history of the Premiership, there is no premiership football in the capital, Harare.
The National Sports Stadium, Rufaro, Gwanzura, Morris Depot, Lafarge, Motor Action and Dzivaresekwa have since been condemned. Of the 18 Premier Soccer League clubs, only Hwange has an exclusive home ground — Colliery Stadium.
Venues like Gibbo, Bata and Mandava are being used by at least three clubs.
In what could be described as an abomination in local football, traditional rivals Highlanders and Dynamos are using the same home ground — Barbourfields.
At some point, the Big Three — Dynamos, Highlanders and CAPS United — used the Bulawayo venue until Makepekepe shifted to Bata Stadium in Gweru.
It is a deepening crisis that could affect some teams as the business end of the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League approaches.
Match Day 20 of the campaign kicked off yesterday.
Travelling costs and fatigue could combine to the detriment of some teams, who will either be chasing the title or fighting relegation.
The PSL is concerned, fans are worried by lack of action in their home towns, and teams are fearful of the financial toll this might take on them.
“We would like a situation whereby our games are spread across the country for everyone to enjoy local football, but we can’t do that because of stadia shortage,” PSL communications manager Kudzai Bare said.
The PSL was forced into a break in June as the administrators hoped the situation would be resolved.
“We also have teams travelling to play their home games away, which is not ideal. We are hoping stadium owners will work on their stadia.”
Harare-based teams like Dynamos, CAPS United, Herentals, Black Rhinos and Cranborne Bullets are travelling at least 300 kilometres to play their home games.
Shamva-based Simba Bhora play their home matches at Mandava in Zvishavane.
Wadzanai Stadium in Shamva will be opened for PSL matches next season. For now, Simba Bhora are focusing on survival.
Tonderai Ndiraya’s side has accumulated 20 points from 19 matches, just like Sheasham, who occupy the last relegation spot.
Simba Bhora play Dynamos at Barbourfields today. Club owner Simba Ndoro confirmed last week that he had not abandoned the idea of turning Wadzanai into a state-of-the-art stadium.
“We are now hoping to finish the project before the start of next season,” he said.
“We have not abandoned the project, neither have we neglected our fans in Shamva.
“We are still pushing for Wadzanai to host PSL games. We still care for our fans in Mashonaland Central and we would have loved to bring top-flight football to their doorstep this season. But for now, the main focus is on surviving relegation.”
Just like Simba Bhora, the other PSL debutants Green Fuel were also hoping to play in front of their home fans in Chisumbanje.
But the Green Fuel Arena is yet to get the greenlight from the authorities.
A team of experts comprising some members of ZIFA, the Premier Soccer League and the First Instance Board (FIB) inspected the stadium last week and a decision will be made this week.
“The inspection has already been done but a decision is yet to be reached. The First Instance Board will make an announcement soon,” said Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela.
Green Fuel hosted Hwange at Gibbo Stadium yesterday in what was probably their last home game in Triangle, amid expectations the FIB will announce the official opening of the Chisumbanje venue during the week.
There is also hope that top-flight football might return to Harare soon, as Yadah FC owner Walter Magaya is embarking on an ambitious project to build a stadium at Yadah Complex in Waterfalls.
Work on Heart Stadium is at an advanced stage.
X (formerly Twitter): @LangtonGuraz
Online Reporter