HARARE Mayor Jacob Mafume has promised not to mess up an umpteenth chance to reopen Rufaro Stadium, just about four months after giving his fourth unfulfilled assurance that the stadium would be used last year.
By Bhora Afrika
Mafume acknowledged his past trespasses, primarily the numerous, unfulfilled promises and with the understanding he was promising Hararians for the fourth time promised to make it ‘fourth time lucky.’
“We are very determined to make sure that the fourth time is the charm. We will work flat out to make sure we complete this stadium by that time,” said Mafume.
“As you can see we have made progress at each time. It might take time but we are all the same when everything comes out the way we want it to.”
Rufaro Stadium was condemned and closed in 2019 with work on Zimbabwe’s ceremonial home of football only starting at the end of 2022.
It might however host a high profile match on its opening, scheduled for the weekend of 10-11 February. The stadium will play host to a Harare City Council organised charity cup dubbed The Mayor’s Cup.
“The story of Rufaro Stadium cannot be told without Dynamos or Caps United so we have held meetings and decided that the first game is going to be between the two,” added Mafume.
Usually home to giants, Dynamos, Rufaro Stadium will be leased to the Harare side and its cross town rival Caps United for a period of ten years or more.
Last year, the two giants were forced to relocate and host home games hundreds of kilometres away from Harare after condemnation of the only stadium in use within the capital, the National Sports Stadium.
Caps United chose Bata Stadium in Gweru while Dynamos were surprisingly hosted by Highlanders at Barbourfields Stadium.