THE Confederation of African Football (CAF) has temporarily approved the National Sports Stadium to host some international matches, pending the completion of the ongoing refurbishment works.
CAF has allowed the National Sports Stadium to host Category B matches pending the completion of the turf, which the authorities are currently working on.
Category 2 matches include Under 17 and Under 23 African Cup of Nations qualifiers as well as Champions League and Confederation Cup preliminary round matches.
The country’s biggest stadium has been banned from hosting international matches since 2020, but has been given temporary approvals to host some matches, with the last international match hosted in Zimbabwe being a World Cup Qualifier between the Warriors and Ethiopia played on the 14th of November 2021.
In 2020, CAF cited several areas that needed attention for the stadium to host international matches, and today, some of the areas have been addressed.
Bucket seats have been installed at the facility, the venue operations centre has been set up with the installation of Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras now at an advanced stage.
Contractors are also working on the changing rooms as well as the ablution facilities. The water reticulation system has been sorted, while a water reservoir has also been constructed.
The old flood lights have been decommissioned, with the new LED lighting system expected in the country anytime soon after the release of outstanding funds.
Work on the electronic turnstiles is progressing well, with one automated, fully functional turnstile while the older ones are being demolished.
The playing surface is also receiving attention; the drainage system has been sorted, leaving the curators to work on the topsoil before they can install the grass.
Currently, national teams are hosting matches away from home, with the Warriors playing all their 2026 AFCON qualifiers in South Africa and Uganda, while junior national teams and the Mighty Warriors have all hosted matches in neighbouring countries.
Last year, Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars hosted their CAF interclub matches in Zambia and Botswana due to a lack of an approved facility at home.
The latest development thus comes as a major boost to defending Premier Soccer League champions Simba Bhora, who are set to play against Eswatini champions Nsingizini Hotspurs in the CAF Champions League preliminary round on the 20th of next month.
Zimbabwe is also set to host the CAF Under 17 Africa Cup of Nations, COSAFA qualifier from September 11 to September 20, and if the turf is ready, the country’s biggest stadium might re-open its doors with the youth championship.
The refurbishment works are a joint effort between the government and private partner Sakunda Holdings.
