FOLLOWING ZIFA’s First Instance Board (FIB) condemnation of Ascot stadium, recently promoted Gweru side Sheasham is in talks with authorities at Mandava.
By Bhora Afrika
Sheasham is currently rehabilitating Bata stadium for use this season but yet to get it inspected for homologation.
They are just one of the many clubs in topflight football affected by Zimbabwe’s poor sport infrastructure.
“Since Ascot stadium was deemed unfit to host Premier Soccer League (PSL) games, we have already started talks with authorities at Mandava Stadium,” said Sheasham in a statement on Twitter this week.
“As for Bata Stadium, we haven’t yet invited ZIFA Club Licensing FIB for inspection. We are still doing touch ups.”
Vengere is the other stadium to have failed the FIB tests.
Reports reaching bhorafrika indicate Chinhoyi stadium which was set to be used by Black Rhinos is not even close to required standards.
“Please be advised that Ascot Stadium and Vengere Stadium have failed to meet the minimum stadium requirements as set by the ZIFA Club Licensing FIB. The stadia will not host PSL matches until the necessary requirements are met,” said PSL Spokesperson Kudzai Bare.
Rufaro stadium, which 20 time league winners Dynamos had hoped to use, is undergoing council funded rehabilitation.
Town House has promised it will be ready by mid March when the season starts.
“Bucket seats will be bought, and the intention is to have them in the whole stadium. The gates will be electronic and so will the ticketing system,” said Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume.
“We will talk to solar companies to make the roofs a renewable energy station. Technology has advanced, the roof now is made of lighter material, and we should be able to cover all stands progressively.
“(When it comes to) the pitch ,we are engaging the best groundsmen in the land, we will reveal their identity once the contract is finalised. We will engage them for the whole year and get them to do a skills transfer, we will attach people whom we will then employ. As a hint our best grounds men are in cricket and golf.”
Sakubva, Luveve, Chisumbanje and Simba Bhora’s Wadzanai stadium are also yet to be given the greenlight.
This leaves the National Sports Stadium, Gibbo, Barbourfields and Mandava as the only likely pitches to be used.
Last season Yadah, Harare City, Dynamos, Caps United and Herentals had to share use of the National Sports Stadium due to unavailability of other venues.
Unfulfilled promises have left Gwanzura, Chibuku in Chitungwiza and Lafarge in derelict state.