GOVERNMENT has committed to sprucing up the National Sports Stadium to Caf’s minimum standards ahead of the next set of Fifa World Cup qualifiers in June.
Zimbabwe hosted their Group C 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Nigeria in Rwanda last month which frustrated local football fans.
All local stadia are banned from hosting Caf-sanctioned matches because they do not meet required standards.
Yesterday, Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation deputy minister Emily Jesaya declared that the Warriors’ next home match would be played at the National Sports Stadium.
“The ministry is aware of the situation with our stadia and it’s one of the key priorities in 2024,” she said.
“I am sure you heard that in the budget we have been allocated funds which are specifically for the development of our stadiums. We would want to assure the nation that next year 2024, we will see the Warriors play at the National Sports Stadium.”
Zimbabwe host Benin in match day 3 of the World Cup qualifiers set to be played in the first week of June.
Finance minister Mthuli Ncube pledged ZWL$136 billion towards sport development in his national budget announced last week.
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The money allocated towards sport development as well sprucing up of major stadia and recreational facilities works up to about US$20 million.
The National Sports Stadium alone requires bucket seats and electronic turnstiles among other major works.
Harare City Council is refurbishing Rufaro Stadium, while Walter Magaya’s Yadah have developed a 5 000-seater stadium which they hope to develop further to accommodate 25 000 fans.
Magaya’s Heart Stadium will be officially opened on December 10 and is expected to start hosting Premier Soccer League matches next season.
