Warriors to host Benin in SA

Tadious Manyepo

Zimpapers Sports Hub

The National Sports Stadium is not yet ready to host international games, and the Warriors are likely to return to South Africa when they host Benin in a 2026 World Cup qualifier next month.

Michael Nees’ charges have virtually made the neighbouring country their second home in the absence of an approved venue to stage international matches in Zimbabwe.

They have of late hit the right chords playing across the Limpopo after winning two and drawing once in their last three games in South Africa. And they are likely to return to the same hunting ground mid-next month, hoping to continue with their rich vein of form and possibly give themselves a lift up in Group C, where they anchor the six-team table.

All hope is not lost for the Warriors, who have two points from five games, five behind surprise leaders Rwanda.

Nees has been an optimistic lot, insisting Zimbabwe still have a good chance to win the ticket to the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America.

But the real deal will come from their ability to stand their own in the final five rounds of qualification, starting with Benin and Nigeria next month.

Speaking on the sidelines of the new ZIFA board’s meeting with the Sports and Recreation Commission yesterday, association president Nqobile Magwizi said they are finalising the paperwork for the yet-to-be-named stadium to host Benin.

“We are likely to host our next home match against Benin in South Africa. We are just finalising the details, and we will be sharing the solid details once we tie up the agreement,” said Magwizi.

“As we speak, the paperwork is being sorted out, and we hope we will have a clear position in the coming few days.”

Initially, there were hopes that the National Sports Stadium would be available for the March international break.

The giant facility is under renovation, with engineers currently working on the water system and electronic turnstiles.

Installation of bucket seats has been slowed down as authorities are waiting for sign-offs from CAF in order to proceed.

Magwizi and his board, consisting of two deputies, Loveness Mukura and Kenny Ndebele, as well as ordinary members Tafadzwa Benza, Brighton Ushendibaba, Kudzai Kadzombe, Alice Zeure, and Thomas Marambanyika, took time to have on-the-ground appreciation of the work being done at the arena on the sidelines of yesterday’s interface with the SRC. Only Davison Muchena wasn’t in attendance, and he was reported to have had a breakdown while on his way from Triangle. Magwizi expressed satisfaction over the manner in which the works at the National Sports Stadium are progressing.