The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) expects to complete the rehabilitation of the National Sports Stadium to meet the Confederation of African Football (CAF) minimum standards by the end of this year, reported <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/sport/article/200031356/national-sports-stadium-ready-by-december-2024">NewsDay</a>.
In a recent update, SRC board chairman Gerald Mlotshwa and director-general Elta Nengomasha provided details on the ongoing renovations at Zimbabwe’s largest sports facility.
Mlotshwa announced that the first batch of 15,000 bucket seats, purchased from China, has already arrived in Beira, Mozambique.
The seats will be transported to Harare once the necessary paperwork is finalised. He said:
<blockquote>
I am happy to report that as of today, the first batch of the bucket seats is now in Beira, ready for shipping to Zimbabwe.
Those timeframes to Zimbabwe are what we are busy trying to ascertain so that we give accurate information.
</blockquote>
Mlotshwa added that the SRC is targeting completion of all the renovation work by December. However, he noted that the pitch itself will require major refurbishment.
Nengomasha further elaborated on the ongoing projects, saying they are currently working on installing a new perimeter fence and upgrading the water reticulation system at the stadium. She said:
<blockquote>
In preparation to receive the bucket seats and other equipment, we are securing the stadium with a new perimeter fence. We expect that to be complete by the end of August.
Water reticulation, if you come to the stadium, you will find that the first half of the reticulation has been done. The trenches have been dug and the piping is on site.
</blockquote>
Nengomasha also revealed that the turnstiles and CCTV equipment have already been delivered to the National Sports Stadium, and the team is now waiting to begin the installation. Added Nengomasha:
<blockquote>
We need special lighting for the floodlights, which is in line with CAF standards. In terms of the floodlights, there is a contractor that is in place and most of the preliminary work has been done.
</blockquote>
Due to the lack of a CAF-certified stadium in Zimbabwe, the national team, the Warriors, as well as Premier Soccer League clubs Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars, have been forced to host their home matches in CAF competitions on foreign soil.
In November 2023, Zimbabwe hosted Nigeria in Rwanda in the CAF 2026 World Cup qualifiers. In June 2024, the Warriors played their World Cup qualifier home match against Lesotho in South Africa, and in September 2024, they are scheduled to host Cameroon in Uganda in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
This past weekend, Dynamos hosted ZESCO United in Botswana for their CAF Confederation Cup fixture, while Ngezi Platinum Stars welcomed Maniema Union in Zambia for their CAF Champions League home game.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The National Sports Stadium in Zimbabwe is getting renovated to meet CAF standards by December. New seats and equipment are being installed. The stadium will have a new perimeter fence, upgraded water system, improved lighting, and more. The Warriors and local clubs have had to play home matches outside Zimbabwe due to the lack of a certified stadium. But once the renovations are done, they can host games at home. The goal is to have everything ready by the end of the year.

National Sports Stadium Ready By December 2024 - SRC

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has approached the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) seeking permission to use the National Sports Stadium (NSS).
The PSL intends to stage midweek fixtures but there are concerns that the stadiums currently in use may be over-used.
NSS was closed in June this year due to the deteriorating state of the playing pitch, and water reticulation system challenges.
At the time, a total of eight teams were using the National Sports Stadium for their home matches and the closure of the facility forced the clubs to look for other home venues outside Harare.
PSL chief executive officer Kennedy Ndebele told <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/sport/article/200016284/psl-approaches-src-over-nss">NewsDay</a> that they are seeking permission to use the stadium after it recently hosted a number of national and private events, including two football matches.
NSS hosted the ZDF Cup final match featuring the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Select against Malawi on 15 August, and the Presidential Inauguration Cup on 04 September. Said Ndebele:
<blockquote>
We have written to the SRC to check on the availability of the National Sports Stadium given that it has hosted some events in recent times. We are hoping that we will get a positive response.
With the stadia that are available, we have a challenge of having mid-week fixtures because the facilities will be over-used.
If we can get either the National Sports Stadium or Rufaro Stadium or even both, then that will be perfect.
We are happy that we now have an approved facility in Chisumbanje (Green Fuel Arena) but due to its location, it does not alleviate the problem of Barbourfields and Bata stadiums.
</blockquote>
Bata Stadium, located in Gweru, Midlands Province, serves as the home venue for Sheasham, CAPS United and Black Rhinos.
Dynamos are now hosting their matches at Barbourfields Stadium, the home of arch-rivals, Highlanders.
Cranborne Bullets and ZPC Kariba use Nyamhunga Stadium in Kariba while Herentals College and FC Platinum are using Mandava Stadium.
Simba Bhora and Ngezi Platinum Stars use Baobab Stadium in Mhondoro while Mutare-based Manica Diamonds and Triangle United use Gibbo Stadium in Triangle.
Hwange use the Colliery Stadium in Hwange, Chicken Inn and Bulawayo Chiefs use Luveve Stadium, while Greenfuel use the Greenfuel Arena which was recently homologated.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

PSL Approaches SRC Over National Sports Stadium

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has deemed Sakubva Stadium in Mutare unfit to host Premier Soccer League (PSL) matches due to the poor state of the turf.
The <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/sakubva-stadium-condemned-again/">Manica Post</a> reports that a ZIFA grounds inspection team, under the First Instance Body banner, comprising ZIFA chief operations officer, Xolisani Gwesela, ZIFA technical director, Wilson Mukede and Premier Soccer League man in charge of competitions, Elisha Mandireva were in Mutare to inspect Sakubva Stadium ahead of the start of the 2023 PSL season.
In 2022, Sakubva Stadium was condemned towards the season halfway mark after it had deteriorated to unacceptable standards due to overuse.
City of Mutare spokesperson, Spren Mutiwi, said he was unaware that ZIFA had condemned the stadium again. He said:
<blockquote>
We are not aware that the grounds inspection committee from ZIFA was here. We are not even aware of their decision to condemn the match venue.
We have a plan to replace the turf and I am sure the process is at an advanced stage even though I might need to get finer details on the work covered so far in that regard.
</blockquote>
Manica Diamonds chairman, Masimba Chihowa, expressed concern over the latest development, saying the club cannot afford to host home matches in Harare or Triangle. Said Chihowa:
<blockquote>
We are worried, shuttered and devastated that the stadium cannot be used after the condemnation by the grounds inspection committee.
What is of great concern for us is that the stadium was condemned because of overuse when Manica Diamonds, the only Premiership club in Mutare, has never had a training session at Sakubva Stadium in recent months.
As a team, we are worried about which match venue shall we register as our home ground ahead of the start of the season.
We had not factored in any budget relating to travelling outside the city for our home matches.
If you look at the options available, it be very costly for the team. Travelling more than 300km to Triangle or Harare is not within our budget.
We just hope and pray that something will be done to restore the good quality of the turf before the start of the season.
</blockquote>
The 2023 Castle Lager Premiership season commences next month.

Gerald Mlotshwa Latest News

Latest Jobs