The Zimbabwean government, through the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC), is working diligently to rehabilitate the National Sports Stadium in order to meet the minimum standards set by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) by the end of 2024.
In a recent update, SRC board chairman Gerald Mlotshwa and director-general Elta Nengomasha shared details on the ongoing renovations at the facility. Mlotshwa reported that the first batch of 15,000 bucket seats purchased from China has already arrived in Beira, Mozambique, and will soon be transported to Harare once the necessary paperwork is completed.
“I am happy to report that as of today, the first batch of the bucket seats is now in Beira, ready for shipping to Zimbabwe,” Mlotshwa told reporters.
“Those timeframes to Zimbabwe are what we are busy trying to ascertain so that we give accurate information.”
Mlotshwa expressed confidence that the target for completing all the work is December 2023, although he acknowledged that significant work is still required on the pitch itself.
Nengomasha further elaborated on the progress, stating that while they await the full complement of bucket seats, work has been progressing in other areas.
“In preparation to receive the bucket seats and other equipment, we are securing the stadium with a new perimeter fence. We expect that to be complete by the end of August,” she said.
The director-general also noted that the water reticulation system has been partially upgraded, with the trenches dug and the piping already on-site.
Additionally, the turnstiles and CCTV equipment have been delivered to the stadium, and they are now waiting for the installation of these components.
The acquisition of generators and new floodlights is also underway, with the necessary special lighting for the floodlights being in line with CAF standards.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of a CAF-certified stadium in Zimbabwe, the national team, the Warriors, will have to play their home Africa Cup of Nations matches in other countries. Next month, the team will host Cameroon in Uganda, and they will also host Kenya and Namibia in Uganda in October and November, respectively.
