HARARE – While winter is often considered the most depressing season due to its cold weather, for Zimbabwe’s football family, the upcoming winter could bring the long awaited joy, the first since 2020.
This follows assurances from contractors tasked with revamping the iconic National Sports Stadium (NSS), who promised to complete their work by the end of July.
The commitments were made on Wednesday during a stadium tour by Dr. Jorum Gumbo, the Special Adviser to the President on Monitoring and Implementation of Government Programs.
Dr. Gumbo was accompanied by the Minister of Sports, Retired Lieutenant General Anselem Sanyatwe, who hogged the limelight during the tour for firmly questioning contractors about their progress and expected deadlines.
The former army commander grilled each contractor, demanding clear and accountable timelines with government desperate to have the NSS functional for hosting international matches once again.
Most contractors indicated that their work would be done by the end of July.
“End of July tinopedza,” the contractors were heard telling Gumbo and Sanyatwe.
First to confirm was the contractor responsible for water reticulation and drainage systems, followed by the one overseeing the pitch refurbishment.
However, contractors emphasised that timely payment of their invoices by the government, would help speed up progress and ensure deadlines are met.
Encouragingly, there is visible momentum at the NSS and if the current pace is maintained, Zimbabwe could host its next international games at the stadium.
The country has been operating without a single stadium that meets CAF’s minimum requirements to host international matches.
The main stadium, the NSS was banned in 2020 after failing to meet CAF standards.
The humiliating situation has forced the Zimbabwe Warriors to use foreign stadiums as their home grounds, particularly in South Africa and other venues deemed logistically suitable and cost-effective by the country’s football governing body, ZIFA.
