Zimbabwean football has received a major boost after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) approved the National Sports Stadium to host international matches following its rehabilitation and reopening.
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Read E-PaperScottland Football Club will become the first Zimbabwean club to benefit from the stadium’s newly granted CAF Category 3 status after the continental football governing body approved the club’s request to stage its CAF Champions League preliminary round first-leg match against Eswatini’s Nsingizini Hotspurs at the venue.
The match is scheduled for September 6.
The fixture had initially been earmarked for the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown, Botswana, pending CAF inspections and approval of the National Sports Stadium.
The latest development means Scottland FC will now be able to play the crucial continental encounter on home soil, restoring home advantage for Zimbabwean clubs competing in CAF competitions.
In a statement, Scottland FC expressed its appreciation to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, the Sports and Recreation Commission, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA), corporate partners and other stakeholders involved in the rehabilitation of the stadium.
The club said the return of international football to the National Sports Stadium was significant not only for Scottland FC but for Zimbabwean football as a whole.
“Zimbabwean teams will now enjoy home advantage once again, which is very crucial in international football,” the club said.
Scottland FC also highlighted the economic importance of hosting continental fixtures locally, noting that international matches played in Zimbabwe could generate significant financial benefits while giving local supporters the opportunity to watch their teams compete at home.
The club’s president, Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, also saluted the Government and other stakeholders for their contribution towards restoring the National Sports Stadium to a condition suitable for international football.
The reopening represents a major step in Zimbabwe’s efforts to restore its football infrastructure and meet CAF’s stadium requirements.
For Scottland FC, the focus now shifts to preparing for the September 6 encounter against Nsingizini Hotspurs, with the club hoping to make full use of home advantage as it begins its continental campaign.
The development also comes as Zimbabwean football authorities continue working towards broader reforms and improvements under ZIFA’s “Dream 2030” vision.
With the National Sports Stadium once again available for approved international fixtures, Zimbabwean clubs and national teams could now have a greater opportunity to compete on home soil rather than being forced to play continental and international matches at venues outside the country.
