Race against time

06 Mar, 2020 - 00:03 0 Views
Race against time Workmen levelling the pitch early this week

The ManicaPost

Ray Bande Senior Reporter

MUTARE City Council is racing against time to complete the renovation of Sakubva Stadium amid indications that the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League 2020 season kicks off in a fortnight.

The country’s football governing body, Zifa, is waiting for Mutare City Council to invite them for the final inspection of the stadium upon completion of the renovations.

Hopes are high that top-flight league football will be played at Sakubva Stadium this season, exactly three years after the Mutare soccer cathedral last hosted Premiership matches.

Sakubva Stadium was banned from hosting Premiership matches after being deemed unfit owing to its derelict state.

The construction of the pre-cast wall has been completed while erection of the perimeter fence and tunnel are in progress.

Refurbishment of other interior facilities, such as changing rooms and the media working area, as well as levelling of the pitch and installation of turnstiles, is also in progress.

Contacted for comment, Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said: “We are only waiting to hear from Mutare City Council on the areas we asked them to work on. When they are done, we will then come to Mutare for the final inspection of the stadium.

“Generally, Mutare City Council has shown commitment, judging by the way they have moved with pace to complete construction of the pre-cast wall. We hope they will do the same on other important areas in the stadium.”

While Mutare grapples with ensuring that its stadium is approved to host premiership matches, CAF last week banned the use of Barbourfields Stadium – the country’s only match venue that was still suitable to host international matches.

The Warriors had hoped to host defending African champions Algeria at Barbourfields next month.

The Bulawayo venue, which was given a partial clearance when the CAF inspectors last toured it in November 2019, has since been added on the list of banned stadiums.

This means CAF inspectors have struck all the country’s stadiums, including the National Sports Stadium, off the roaster.

However, latest developments indicate that efforts are underway to spruce up Barbourfields Stadium to meet the required standards.

Other major football match venues from across the country are also expected to get major face-lifts.

Government has already started refurbishing the National Sports Stadium in Harare. It will also assist in renovating Barbourfields in Bulawayo as the battle to ensure that the Warriors play their next Afcon qualifier at home this month gathers pace.

On Monday, a high-powered Government delegation, led by Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo, toured the National Sports Stadium to assess the areas that were flagged by the CAF inspectors, before committing to upgrade the facility.

On Tuesday, artisans were on the ground attending to the pitch, whose condition was condemned by CAF inspectors.

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