CAF stadium inspectors tour Zimbabwe

A fresh push to restore Zimbabwe's status as a host of international football gathered momentum last night after the Confederation of African Football dispatched an inspection team to assess four local stadiums for possible certification.

Rwandan stadium inspector Aloys Mpambara arrived in the country to begin a whirlwind tour of the National Sports Stadium, Barbourfields Stadium, Ngoni Stadium and Chahwanda Stadium.

The inspection follows sustained efforts by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) to have the country's facilities homologated by CAF after years of failing to meet continental standards.

While ZIFA officials acknowledge that securing certification to host flagship tournaments such as the Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON and CAF Under-20 competitions remains a tall order, the immediate objective is more modest but equally significant - obtaining approval to host international qualifiers and preliminary inter-club matches on home soil.

Zimbabwe's senior men's team, the Warriors, the Mighty Warriors and junior national sides have all been forced to play home matches outside the country due to the lack of CAF-certified venues.

ZIFA are also eager for domestic champions Scottland and Chibuku Super Cup holders Dynamos to play their upcoming CAF preliminary round fixtures at home.

Reigning Castle Lager Premiership champions Scottland are set to make their debut appearance in the CAF Champions League, starting at the first preliminary stage. Dynamos, meanwhile, return to the CAF Confederation Cup following another Chibuku Super Cup triumph.

At present, however, none of the local teams have access to a stadium certified by CAF, even for the opening preliminary rounds - a situation that has raised concern within both ZIFA and Government circles.

It has emerged that ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Nicholas Moyo recently undertook a lobbying visit to CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, to push for a fresh inspection of Zimbabwe's facilities.

Sources close to developments said the current mission was secured following that engagement.

"A Confederation of African Football Stadium Inspection Delegation is in Zimbabwe to conduct official inspections of selected stadiums across the country. The inspections follow a successful engagement visit to the CAF headquarters in Cairo undertaken by the Permanent Secretary Mr Nicholas Moyo together with ZIFA President Nqobile Magwizi," the sources said.

"During that visit, Zimbabwe formally lobbied for the inspection process as part of ongoing efforts to restore the country's capacity to host international football."

Mpambara is expected to begin his assessments in Bulawayo this morning with an inspection of Barbourfields before travelling to Kwekwe to tour the newly built Chahwanda Stadium, popularly known as "The Heart".

The delegation, accompanied by ZIFA club licensing manager Simba Gochera and First Instance Board vice-chairman Xolisani Gwesela, will then proceed to Norton to inspect Ngoni Stadium before concluding the tour at the National Sports Stadium on Tuesday.

"At the National Sports Stadium, the delegation will meet with Permanent Secretary Nicholas Moyo to review preliminary findings," the sources added.

All eyes will be on the National Sports Stadium, long regarded as the country's home of football, amid hopes it can finally regain approval to host international matches.

ZIFA are particularly anxious for the facility to pass inspection in time for the Warriors' 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, which is scheduled to begin in September.

A positive outcome from the CAF inspection would mark a significant step towards ending Zimbabwe's long exile from hosting continental football and restoring pride to the domestic game.