HARARE – The Zimbabwe Football Association has bit hit with a US$2,000 fine by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for below-standard facilities at the National Sports Stadium.
Zimbabwe, banned by CAF last year from hosting international matches, was granted a reprieve on the condition that grounds used for international matches are upgraded to set standards.
In a statement on Thursday, ZIFA said CAF had found the National Sports wanting in several areas when it hosted recent Africa Cup of Nations group matches against Algeria and Zambia.
“In their letter of sanction, CAF noted that there are no fixed individual spectator seats in all sectors and the stadium’s general uncleanliness,” ZIFA’s statement said.
The National Sports Stadium is owned by the ministry of local government and managed by the Sports and Recreation Commission. Renovations which began at a pulsating pace last year before CAF temporarily lifted the stadium ban appear to have ground to a halt.
“CAF stadium requirements stipulate that seats for spectators must be individual, fixed to the floor, separated from one another, shaped, numbered, made of an unbreakable and non-flammable material, and have a backrest of a minimum height of 30cm when measured from the seat,” ZIFA said in a statement.
“We have notified the Sports and Recreation Commission as the stadium authority, and encouraged them to expedite renovations at the stadium so that we avoid future sanctions or the grim possibility of playing home matches abroad.”
The latest CAF action sends a grim warning to ZIFA ahead of 2022 World Cup qualifiers, with the Warriors set to play South Africa at the same venue between 5 and 8 June.
