ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi says he has been impressed by the Chawanda Stadium after he toured the football facility which is being constructed in Kwekwe.
Also known as The Heart Main Arena, the 15 000-seater stadium is expected to be concluded in the next two months.
Initially, the facility, whose construction began late last year, was supposed to be a 10 000-seater but has been upgraded so that it can host international matches.
Magwizi was accompanied by Zifa board member Brighton Ushendibaba, who is the chairperson of the committee for infrastructure and development.
"I'm impressed with what I've seen, and of course, just to express my gratitude to Prophet Magaya and his team for such an amazing job that has been done so far. And when I passed through here a few months ago, there was nothing. And to come back today and see all this have gone up, it's really impressive," he said.
"And it's as if we are looking at a situation whereby we have adequate infrastructure. The chairperson of the Infrastructure Committee, Brighton Ushendibaba, who's with me right here, has been conducting a survey just to establish the statistics in terms of how many facilities there are in every province.
"And we realised that even the numbers that are coming are showing that we have a bit of a challenge. But with such interventions, I think the future is very, very bright. We are indeed dressing for greater achievements in the future as a country.
"We have travelled, I mean, to go and see projects, football pitches in Spain, we have travelled to England and we've seen that this will match the quality that you see anywhere in the world. This is what you are seeing right here," he said.
The suspended turf is already looking good, while the installation of bucket seats has already begun.
Plans are that the stadium can have a roof all around it.
Work on the dressing rooms, the VIP enclosure, clinic, media room and Zifa offices are nearing completion.
It is going to be a multi-purpose facility with a B Arena, basketball court, some lodges and shops.
Kwekwe businessman Shepherd Chawanda is partnering with Prophet Magaya in the construction of the stadium.
Magaya has already built a PSL stadium at his Waterfalls Yadah Hotel in Harare.
He expressed delight at the visit by the country's football boss.
"I can tell you that your visit here just as the leader of Zifa is a great inspiration to all of us to do more. We have an association that is appreciative, which is good. But we also have stakeholders who are looking into this.
"Remember the stadium is named Chawanda and by that man, it shows that there is a man behind all that you are seeing, Shepherd Chawanda. He is a man who has been a solution to the country together with his company and family to quench the crisis that is there in the country that is the shortage of the stadium. And we hope that through you ( Magwizi) government will recognise these people," Magaya said.
When it opens, Chawanda Stadium will also be home to Central Region Division One side Hardrock FC, who have invested a lot in the preseason as they look to gain promotion into the top-flight league.
