The ManicaPost
Ray Bande, Senior Reporter
MUTARE City Council is confident that they are on course to beat the Zifa First Instance Body (FIB) grounds inspection dates for Sakubva Stadium to get the greenlight to host top-flight league football matches this year.
Sakubva Stadium was closed for renovations following the condemnation by Premier Soccer League two years ago and since then football teams in Mutare have been forced to use alternative venues — including primary and secondary school grounds — for their league matches.
Latest renovation works have brought relief to the sports fraternity in Mutare, especially football followers who had gone for two seasons without top flight football action at Sakubva Stadium.
With two teams — Manica Diamonds and Tenax FC — now in the top-flight league, the other two – Mutare City Rovers and Buffaloes – in the Eastern Region Division One, the 2020 football season would have badly exposed the shortcomings of the local authority if renovations were allowed to drag on for the third year.
Genuine concern by football lovers in Mutare has been witnessed in the unity of purpose and renewed vigour to complete the project with budding independent entrepreneurs such as the Sakubva-based Donald Manhende-owned Azzurie Canteen which is providing food to workers at the stadium free of Charge.
Mutare City Council spokesperson Spren Mutiwi said: “So far we have covered 144 square metres since we resumed construction.
The number of artisans is increasing each day as we engaged more people to speed up the construction process.
“We are very hopeful that we shall meet the deadline and ensure that our two teams that are in the Premier Soccer League use Sakubva Stadium.
“We cannot continue to disadvantage football loving fans and we believe that this year we shall carry the outstanding tasks and meet the minimum requirements by the football governing body.”
Mutiwi said the local authority welcomed all stakeholders wishing to lend a helping hand to realise the completion of renovation works in time for inspection.
“We are open to any cooperation from corporates and individuals. Let us work collectively to ensure that we finish the project. We are in this together and for the sake of our city, anyone who can add value is greatly welcome,” he said.
Manica Diamonds spent the entire 2019 Castle Lager Premiership season using Vengere Stadium as their home ground following the condemnation of Sakubva Stadium.
