National Sports Stadium finally cleared to host CAF, AFCON matches after five years

The National Sports Stadium has finally been cleared for competitive football after spending five years under a ban for failing to meet required standards.

The development is a major boost for Zimbabwean football, with the Harare venue now approved to host international matches once again.

The Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture said the stadium had been granted Confederation of African Football (CAF) Category 3 approval following a recent technical inspection and progress on priority works at the facility.

The approval means the stadium can, subject to the specific requirements of each competition, host CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup group-stage and quarter-final matches, as well as Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“The Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture is pleased to announce that the Zimbabwe National Sports Stadium has been granted Confederation of African Football (CAF) Category 3 approval, following a recent technical inspection and significant progress on priority works at the stadium.

“The approval allows the National Sports Stadium, subject to the specific requirements of each competition, to host CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup Group Stage and Quarter-final matches, as well as Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and FIFA World Cup qualifiers and other competitions applicable to Category 3 stadia.

“CAF has acknowledged the considerable efforts made by the Government of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Football Association in addressing the observations raised during the inspection,” read part of the statement.

The clearance is expected to bring the Warriors back home for their upcoming AFCON qualifiers in September, ending years of playing their home matches at foreign venues because of the stadium ban.

Zimbabwe last hosted a FIFA-sanctioned match at the National Sports Stadium in 2021 before the venue was declared unfit for international football.