Online Reporter
Eddie Chikamhi
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ZIMBABWE’S international football exile is over after CAF granted the National Sports Stadium Category 3 approval ahead of the Warriors’ 2028 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo next month.
The Warriors will open their qualifying campaign away to Sierra Leone before hosting the DRC.
Zimbabwe last played an international match at home in November 2021, when the Warriors faced Ethiopia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier.
In a statement yesterday, Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Anselem Sanyatwe confirmed that the country’s flagship football facility had passed its latest CAF inspection.
“The Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture is pleased to announce that the Zimbabwe National Sports Stadium has been granted Confederation of African Football Category 3 approval, following a recent technical inspection and significant progress on priority works at the stadium,” said Sanyatwe.
Subject to the requirements of each competition, Category 3 status allows the stadium to host CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup group-stage and quarter-final matches, as well as AFCON and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The National Sports Stadium lost its approval in 2021 after failing to meet minimum safety, security and infrastructure requirements.
The Warriors, Mighty Warriors and Zimbabwean clubs were subsequently forced to stage their home fixtures outside the country, depriving them of home advantage and increasing their costs.
Zimbabwean teams used temporary bases in Botswana and South Africa, while the Warriors hosted Nigeria in Rwanda.
Government responded with a refurbishment programme aimed at addressing the defects identified by CAF inspectors.
“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,” said Sanyatwe.
“This milestone is a direct reflection of the concerted and deliberate efforts by the Government, through the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, to restore the National Sports Stadium to its rightful position as the country’s premier football venue.”
Sanyatwe also credited Sakunda Holdings for helping modernise the pitch.
“Through its partnership with Government, Sakunda Holdings has played a significant role in the modernisation of the stadium pitch and the installation of bucket seats, interventions which have substantially enhanced the functionality, aesthetics and overall spectator experience at the national facility,” he said.
CAF has encouraged ZIFA and the relevant authorities to maintain the work and complete the remaining priority projects. The statement did not specify which areas still require attention.
The approval also means the Mighty Warriors can host Malawi in their Olympic qualifier in October.
Local clubs participating in CAF competitions can also stage their matches at the National Sports Stadium, reducing the financial and logistical burden of playing abroad.
“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,” said Sanyatwe.
