Chronicle Editor
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
WORK on sprucing up Barbourfields Stadium in order for the facility to meet Confederation of African Football (Caf) is well underway under strict supervision with the venue to be ready for inspection by the continental body on Friday.
Government made available $13 million for the renovations at Barbourfields for Emagumeni to meet Caf requirements.
With council workers occupied throughout the weekend, indications are that most of the work should be taken care of by tomorrow, in anticipation of the visit by the Caf inspector.
The bulk of the electrical components are said to have been delivered by yesterday. Outside the stadium, there was a heavy presence of BCC trucks where the land has been cleared and the parking areas to be tarred.
Yesterday, council employees were busy carrying out work on the areas that need to be renovated before the arrival of the inspector.
Government and BCC officials top officials are monitoring the renovations, with two visits to the stadium every day.
Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Principal Director, Benson Dube is supervising work on Emagumeni.
A briefing chaired by Dube took place last night and was attended by among others, the Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Judith Ncube, Town Clerk Christopher Dube, BCC Director of Housing and Community Services, Dictor Khumalo.
An update on the pitch was that it had been cut and Zimbabwe Cricket national grounds curator, Fungai Shanganya had been engaged to give expert advice. A fix and supply provider is being sought for the aluminum goal posts. Team benches are being painted and renovated.
Updates on the floodlights, which were switched on Friday night were that they are ticking all boxes, with certification being sought from an engineer that the lighting is enough for matches being played at night.
In terms of signage, 23 signs have been procured which provide direction from the roads leading up to the stadium to the parking space while internal signs are being painted.
The whole nation is hopeful that Caf will lift the ban on the country’s stadiums, which should pave way for the Warriors to play against Algeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on 29 March on home soil.
As things stand, the country’s stadiums remain barred from hosting international matches as they are not compliant with Caf requirements.
Zifa have, however, appealed that ban and are hopeful that the Caf inspector will give the greenlight for the stadiums to host matches again because of the commitment that has been shown by all stakeholders in solving the crisis.
Should the Caf inspector give the greenlight, this would pave the way for the Warriors to face the Desert Foxes in Zimbabwe at the end of this month.
@Mdawini_29
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