Zimbabwe’s hopes of hosting international football matches on home soil may be delayed further, despite a statement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday, 11 August, which appeared to grant the National Sports Stadium (NSS) clearance to host international fixtures from under-17 to under-23 level.
It has since emerged that the inclusion of the National Sports Stadium on CAF’s list of approved venues was an error.
A CAF delegation is scheduled to visit Zimbabwe in September to assess the ongoing renovations being carried out by the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture at the stadium.
A CAF insider told Zimpapers Sports Hub that the stadium’s premature listing would be rectified. Said the official:
“As it stands, the National Sports Stadium is undergoing renovations and chances are it will only be cleared by end of year, but more certainly next year.
“That is what is practical at the moment and it is known. This was just an oversight.
“So, there is no chance Simba Bhora will play in Harare in the preliminary stages and there is also no chance the Warriors will play Rwanda or South Africa in Harare, as things stand.
“You have to look at renovations underway to understand the situation.
“But obviously, the Confederation is pleased something is being done about the stadium situation.”
The Warriors and local clubs competing in continental tournaments have been forced to play their matches abroad due to the lack of CAF-certified venues in Zimbabwe.
In September, Zimbabwe will face Rwanda in a FIFA World Cup qualifier at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, with the October fixture against South Africa also expected to be held outside Zimbabwe.
Simba Bhora, who take on Nsingizi Hotspurs of Eswatini in the CAF Champions League first preliminary round next month, will also play both legs away from home.
The absence of a certified stadium continues to burden ZIFA with venue rental costs and lost revenue from home matches.
Simba Bhora face similar financial challenges, having to pay for both legs of their ties outside Zimbabwe.
To help ease this strain, CAF will pay US$100,000 to teams eliminated in the first two rounds of its competitions.
Dynamos, last season’s Chibuku Super Cup winners, withdrew from the CAF Confederation Cup due to the high costs, while runners-up Ngezi Platinum Stars declined the opportunity to replace them, citing insufficient notice.
This leaves Simba Bhora as Zimbabwe’s sole representatives in continental competitions this year.
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