The government has guaranteed Zimbabweans that ongoing renovations at the National Sports Stadium will be complete this year for the facility to be able to host international matches.
The giant facility was condemned by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in 2021 and last hosted an international match when the Norman Mapeza-led Warriors played out a 1-1 stalemate with Ethiopia in a World Cup qualifier.
CAF demanded that bucket seats and electronic turnstiles, among other things, be installed at the facility, and the government has already commenced renovations.
Giving an update on progress at the National Sports Stadium during this week’s cabinet briefing, Minister of Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Jenfan Muswere said the giant facility will be ready for international matches in 2025.
“We have highlighted that the gym facilities be finalized. This is part of the National Sports Stadium capacitation in terms of equipment and also the refurbishment that has been taking place there,” said Muswere.
“We have also highlighted that the installation is ongoing, with blocks 19, 20, and 21 having been completed.
“This is progress that has been registered in terms of the Ministry of Sports, and at the same time, I want to assure you that before year end, we believe that the stadium would have been completed in terms of the renovations that are taking place, including the bucket seats that are being installed.
“We will therefore be in a position to be able to have our games played in Zimbabwe,” added Muswere.
The completion of renovations at the National Sports Stadium will certainly be welcomed by football-loving Zimbabweans, who have endured the pain of not being able to watch the Warriors play at home in both the AFCON 2025 and 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
The unavailability of the giant stadium has also resulted in a stadia crisis in the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, where four Harare-based clubs-—Dynamos, CAPS United, Herentals College, and Scottland—are all using Rufaro Stadium.
