Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza, blessing.malinganiza @zimpapers.co.zw
THE Warriors have an easier task of qualifying for the 2027 Afcon finals than the last time around.
After being drawn in the same group with DRC, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone in the qualifiers, the biggest factor at play is the possibility that the Warriors will play their home games at home.
The first round matches are set for September, but the National Sports Stadium has already been opened for local football awaiting Caf inspections.
After a lengthy ban, the refurbished NSS is undergoing final homologation checks, and the government is making a significant push to ensure the venue is ready.
The stadium is set to be officially reopened on Africa Day (25 May) with a blockbuster encounter featuring CAPS United and FC Platinum.
The match will serve as the ultimate test run for the venue, allowing inspectors to assess the newly installed hybrid turf, bucket seating, and upgraded changing rooms in a live match environment.
Sport Minister Anselem Sanyatwe has been at the forefront of the push to end the Warriors’ homelessness.
During the official handover of the bucket seats at the refurbished facility by Sakunda Holdings, Sanyatwe made it clear that the days of playing abroad are numbered, describing the stadium as more than just a sports ground.
“The National Sports Stadium is more than just a sporting facility, it is a national symbol that carries the aspirations and identity of Zimbabwean football,” said Sanyatwe.
He highlighted the painful economic and emotional cost of the ban, noting that for years, the nation’s teams were forced into an unsustainable situation.
“For years our national teams and clubs were forced into the painful and costly reality of playing home matches outside the country. This refurbishment restores confidence in our sporting infrastructure,” he said.
Sanyatwe also revealed that a Caf delegation is expected in the country soon to conduct a final inspection, adding that the government is confident the new upgrades will pass.
“We are optimistic that the upcoming Caf inspection will confirm that the stadium now meets the required standards for continental and international football,” he said.
Meanwhile, the reopening of the National Sports Stadium is also expected to significantly ease the congestion and pressure on Rufaro, which has been the primary alternative venue for top-flight matches since the NSS ban.
Rufaro, has struggled to accommodate the surge in demand, with more than three clubs using it as their home ground in the top-flight.
With the Africa Day clash between CAPS United and FC Platinum becoming the first match, expectations will be high that it passes the test.
