The ManicaPost
Ray Bande in MUTARE and Lovemore Kadzura in RUSAPE
MANICA Diamonds are highly likely to be given the green light to use Vengere Stadium in Rusape as their home ground after the final inspection done on the sports facility by ZIFA’s First Board of Instance on Tuesday this week.
The Zifa inspectors comprising spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela, Eastern Region representative Wisdom Simba and Premier Soccer League’s Elisha Mandireva went through the final inspection this week while Rusape Town Council officials and Manica Diamonds chairman Masimba Chihowa were also present when the inspection was being done.
Speaking after the inspection, Chihowa expressed confidence that their club will get PSL approval to use Vengere stadium as their home ground.
“I think from what we saw, Rusape Town Council showed seriousness and they can only be duly rewarded by allowing them to host Premiership matches.
“It is also good for us as a club because this ground is in Manicaland even though we would have wanted Sakubva Stadium but Vengere is a better option,” he said.
RTC acting director of housing, health and community services Mr Tarisai Manzonzo said from the comments of the inspectors the stadium was finally going to be approved.
He said the inspectors also understood that the tender process cannot be skipped.
“This time there were no adverse comments from the inspectors as compared to the first time they came here. We have virtually attended to all the areas they requested us to improve and we await the outcome However, we are really confident that we will get a positive response this time around,” he said.
To its credit, RTC has done a lot of commendable improvements on the stadium which now has a complete new look and it will be difficult for the stadium to condemned as all the 15 areas that PSL requested to be attended to have been dealt with.
Refurbishment works that require RTC to float tenders are the ones still outstanding and will be done gradually as and when procurement procedures are met.
Zifa spokesperson Gwesela, in an interview on the sidelines of the inspection of the stadium, said he cannot say whether the stadium now meets PSL requirements or not as they are still to submit their findings to their superiors.
“We are just inspectors. We are going to submit our findings to other people and a decision will be made. Contact me soon as I get feedback from my superiors so that I give you the results of our findings,” said Gwesela before refusing to entertain further questions.
