CAF cracks whip on ZIFA
By Geronimo News
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has cracked its whip on the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) after the continental mother body banned the National Sports Stadium from hosting international matches until outstanding grey areas at the facility have been given a facelift.
The development follows an inspection done by CAF on the 13th and 14th of this month with the dead rubber Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ethiopia being the last game to be by Zimbabwe on home soil.
“The Confederation of African Football has granted Zimbabwe’s National Sports Stadium a one-match approval to host senior teams’ international matches. Thereafter the stadium will be automatically barred from hosting senior teams’ international matches and other CAF Men’s Inter Club Competitions until outstanding issues noted in previous inspections reports have been addressed,” read part of the statement by CAF.
After it was initially banned in 2020, the COVID-19 restrictions came as a blessing in disguise for Zimbabwe with matches being played behind closed doors, the stadium was then given a temporary reprieve to host international games pending renovations to meet the minimum required standards.
With such a stance by CAF, Zimbabwe will be forced to play outside the country until the National Sports Stadium is fully modernised in line with the international required standards.
CAF has mandated Zimbabwe to install bucket seats at the National Sports stadium, electronic turnstiles, venue operation centre and the renovation of the B Arena.
Just like Rwanda which saw Kigali Stadium being suspended from hosting international matches, ZIFA has to act very fast to ensure the facility receives the major facelifts which are required by CAF if Zimbabwe is to play on home soil.
