Stadium headaches for Premiership clubs

By Geronimo News

Zimbabwean teams have been once again faced with a continued stadium crisis after four of the country’s football arenas were condemned from hosting topflight league matches.

This follows a first round inspection of the 9 pitches set to host the 2023 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League which commences in March.

The Colliery Stadium in Hwange, Mutare’s Sakubva Stadium, Vengere in Rusape and Kariba’s Nyamhunga are the four facilities that were deemed unfit to host matches of such calibre.

A statement from the grounds experts read: “Preliminary stadium inspections have been done and stadium owners were told the areas to attend to ahead of the final inspection which will be done next week. At most of the facilities it was noted that the playing surface and dressing rooms needed to be worked on. Urgent stadium renovations are needed for the Colliery, Nyamhunga, Sakubva and Vengere. A report will be sent to the First Instance Body, the licencing board after the final inspection.”

The Colliery was supposed to house Premiership returnees Hwange FC while Sakubva is home to Manica Diamonds and was also highly likely to host newboys Greenfuel while Cranborne Bullets and Black Rhinos use Vengere Stadium as Nyamhunga Stadium is the home ground for ZPC Kariba.

Following the inspection, the abovementioned teams will have to work with speed in giving their preferred stadia some recommended face lifts before the season commences with failure to meet the minimum required standards prompting them (clubs) to look elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Mandava Stadium and the Baobab only need touch ups on their playing surfaces otherwise the rest has been given thumbs up.