ZIFA eyes Chahwanda for AFCON qualifiers

THE Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is intensifying efforts to have the Warriors host their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches at Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe, subject to approval by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi revealed the association's plans after touring the newly constructed stadium on Friday.

The facility is awaiting a final CAF inspection to determine whether it meets the governing body's standards for hosting international football matches.

"CAF team was here in February. We are going to invite them again with hope that the facility will be homologated," Magwizi said.

"If it gets homologated, even our qualifiers will be here (Chahwanda).

"We are grateful to Mr Chahwanda for what he has done. This is good for our national team."

Zimbabwe will begin its 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign in September after being drawn in Group E alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea.

For several years, the Warriors have been forced to play their home fixtures outside Zimbabwe because the country has lacked a CAF-approved stadium.

Chahwanda Stadium has emerged as one of the strongest candidates to end that prolonged wait after impressing local football authorities during its construction and inspection process.

A successful final CAF inspection would pave the way for the stadium to host Zimbabwe's home qualifiers, allowing the Warriors to play in front of local supporters for the first time in years.

Meanwhile, the National Sports Stadium in Harare, which is undergoing extensive renovations to meet CAF requirements, also remains under consideration as Zimbabwe continues efforts to restore international football to home soil.