Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
ZIMBABWE’S long exile from hosting international football has finally ended. After nearly five years of waiting, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has granted the National Sports
Stadium (NSS) Category 3 approval — a landmark decision that restores the country’s right to stage competitive matches on home soil.
The announcement comes as a huge boost for the Warriors ahead of the 2028 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, reigniting hope and pride among fans who have been starved of the roar of international football in Harare.
In a statement yesterday, Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, Anselem Sanyatwe, confirmed the breakthrough:
“The Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture is pleased to announce that the Zimbabwe National Sports Stadium has been granted Confe-deration of African Football (Caf) Category 3 approval, following a recent technical inspection and significant progress on priority works at the stadium.”
“The approval allows the National Sports Stadium, subject to the specific requirements of each competition, to host CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup group-stage and quarter-final matches, as well as Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) and FIFA World Cup qualifiers and other competitions applicable to Category 3 stadia.”
This milestone closes a painful chapter that began in 2021, when Caf condemned the NSS for failing to meet minimum safety, security, and infrastructure standards. The Warriors and local clubs were forced to play “home” fixtures in Botswana, South Africa, and even Rwanda — stripped of home-ground advantage and burdened with heavy costs.
Now, the tide has turned. The Warriors will begin their Afcon campaign next month with an away clash against Sierra Leone, before returning to Harare to face the Democratic Republic of Congo in what promises to be a historic homecoming.
It will be their first competitive match at the NSS since November 2021, when they last hosted Ethiopia in a World Cup qualifier.
Minister Sanyatwe hailed the approval as recognition of collective national effort:
“Caf has acknowledged the considerable efforts made by the Government of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Football Association in addressing the observations raised during the inspection.
“This milestone is a direct reflection of the concerted and deliberate efforts by the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, to restore the National Sports Stadium to its rightful position as the country’s premier footballing venue.”
The refurbishment programme, backed by Government and private partners such as Sakunda Holdings, transformed the stadium with modernised pitch standards and bucket seating, enhancing both functionality and spectator experience.
Minister Sanyatwe emphasised the broader vision:
“The interventions are firmly dovetailed with the aspirations of the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030, particularly the Government’s commitment to developing modern, functional and sustainable sports infrastructure.”
“This achievement also speaks directly to the vision of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, of ensuring that international football is played on Zimbabwean soil and that Zimbabweans are able to experience and participate in major international sporting events at home.”
He further called on all Zimbabweans to embrace the moment:
“The Ministry therefore calls upon all Zimbabweans, football supporters, the corporate sector, sporting fraternity and the media to rally behind this important national development.
“Let us fill our stadiums, support our Warriors and our clubs, protect and take pride in our sporting infrastructure, and collectively contribute to creating an environment in which international football can thrive in Zimbabwe.”
The Mighty Warriors, too, stand to benefit, with their Olympic qualifier against Malawi in October now set to be played at home.
Local clubs competing in Caf tournaments will also enjoy relief from the logistical and financial strain of staging “home” matches abroad.
