The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has explained why Prophet Walter Magaya’s new Heart Stadium will not host CAF matches.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially inaugurated the stadium in 2023. The Heart Stadium, upon completion, is designed to accommodate 40,000 spectators. It is part of a larger sports complex with an aquatics centre, a football hall of fame, and track and field facilities.
ALSO READ: ZIFA Suspends Prophet Walter Magaya’s Heart Stadium From Hosting Matches
Why Heart Stadium Will Not Host CAF Matches
ZIFA clarified why The Heart Stadium cannot host CAF games. The football body stated that the 5,000-capacity stadium did not meet the requirements set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
According to ZIFA, a preliminary inspection showed that The Heart Stadium does not comply with several essential CAF standards:
“The Zimbabwe Football Association wishes to address the recent misleading reports regarding the status of Heart Stadium and its capability to host Ngezi Platinum Stars’ and Dynamos FC’s preliminary fixtures in their respective CAF competitions.
“The Association would like to clarify that all necessary procedures were meticulously followed by the Club Licencing Department, in accordance with CAF directives, to try and assist the clubs to play their home games in Zimbabwe. However, during preliminary inspections, Heart Stadium was unable to produce a Stadium Safety and Security Certificate as required by the process. Consequently, the facility could not be sanctioned.
“Additionally, the stadium lacks a media tribune, a designated area for vulnerable people, and its ablution facilities do not meet the required standards. We trust this statement clarifies the situation and rectifies any misinformation that has been circulating.”
Local Clubs In Limbo
Dynamos and Ngezi Platinum Stars, representing Zimbabwe in inter-club competitions, will have to play their home games abroad.
Soccer24 reported that Dembare will play at Botswana’s National Stadium in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round against ZESCO United.
Ngezi Platinum is still pondering a venue outside Zimbabwe for its Champions League campaign.
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