The Namibia Football Association (NFA) has cited financial constraints in meeting match-day expenses, excluding stadium hire, as the reasons for their AFCON qualifier against Zimbabwe on Thursday to be played without fans in attendance.
The Brave Warriors are set to host the Warriors at Orlando Stadium in South Africa for a Group J matchday 4 fixture in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The match, scheduled to kick off at 3 PM CAT, will be played behind closed doors.
ZIFA spokesperson Mike Madoda confirmed to <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/namibia-cite-matchday-financial-incapacitation-for-afcon-qualifier-against-zimbabwe/">Zimpapers Sports Hub</a> that the NFA has indicated their inability to cover the necessary costs. Said Madoda:
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Namibia have said they can’t afford the costs for stadium security among other match day costs.
</blockquote>
However, sceptics argue that Namibia’s decision to exclude fans from the match is a tactic to prevent Zimbabwe from benefiting from the support of the “12th man.”
Many Zimbabweans living in South Africa would have been expected to attend that match in large numbers.
Fans will have the opportunity to attend the match on Tuesday when Zimbabwe plays as the home team at the same venue.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 6 PM CAT on October 14, with general admission tickets priced at R50.
Both matches will be held in South Africa, as neither Namibia nor Zimbabwe has a CAF-certified stadium suitable for hosting international games.
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Pindula News

The Namibia football team couldn't have fans at their game against Zimbabwe because they couldn't afford the costs. The game will be played in South Africa behind closed doors. Some people think Namibia did this on purpose to stop Zimbabwe from having support. Fans can watch the Zimbabwe home game on Tuesday. Both games will be in South Africa because neither country has a good stadium for international games. Fans can buy tickets for the Zimbabwe game for R50.

Namibia Blames Financial Challenges For Fan Exclusion In AFCON Qualifier Against Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) has suspended another national team player, Kevin Kasuza, after he tested positive for a banned recreational drug during an in-house doping test. ZiFM Stereo Sports anchor, Mike Madoda reported:
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Zimbabwe Cricket has with immediate effect suspended another national team player, Kevin Kasuza, from all cricket activities, pending a hearing, after he tested positive for a banned recreational drug during an in-house doping test last week.
<img alt="" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-270154" decoding="async" height="246" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" src="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Kevin-Kasuza-300x246.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Kevin-Kasuza-300x246.jpg 300w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Kevin-Kasuza.jpg 630w" width="300"/>
</blockquote>
This follows <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2023/12/21/zimbabwe-cricket-has-suspended-wessly-madhevere-and-brandon-mavuta-over-use-of-banned-recreational-drugs/">the suspension of two other players</a>, Wessly Madhevere and Brandon Mavuta, for the same reason in December 2023. The suspensions prevent the players from participating in cricket activities until a disciplinary hearing takes place. The hearing will determine if they violated the anti-doping rules, and they will face disciplinary action accordingly. 
Recreational drugs are substances people use for pleasure or to alter their state of mind. Examples include marijuana, cocaine, ecstasy, LSD, and heroin. These drugs can have various effects on the body and mind, such as creating feelings of euphoria or relaxation, altering perception and mood, and affecting cognitive function. However, they can be addictive and have harmful consequences, impacting physical and mental health, coordination, and judgment, and leading to risky behaviours.
In sports, recreational drugs are banned because they can provide unfair advantages or pose health and safety risks. They can enhance performance, mask pain or fatigue, and affect concentration and decision-making abilities. Athletes who use recreational drugs may face disqualification, loss of sponsorship, damage to their reputation, and even legal consequences.
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