HARARE – The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has written to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) appealing a decision to bar the country from hosting international matches over the poor state of its stadiums.
The letter was dispatched last Friday, just days after CAF’s shock decision which would force Zimbabwe to play their home matches in neighbouring countries, starting with the visit of Algeria in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on March 29.
ZIFA boss Felton Kamambo said Sunday: “We sent our letter on Friday after grounds authorities reassured us that they would have fixed the stadia by the time we are required to host Algeria.
“We are hopeful CAF will consider our plea and we will be successful so that we can play our match against Algeria either at Barbourfields or the National Sports Stadium.”
A decision is expected as early as Monday, March 2.
ZIFA says the government, which owns the National Sports Stadium through the local government ministry, and the Bulawayo City Council who are the owners of Barbourfields Stadium, have committed to carry out most of the work recommended by CAF by March 20. If ZIFA’s appeal is successful, CAF would send an inspection team on that day, or shortly after but before the Algeria match, to deliver a final verdict.
Kamambo said the only sticking point which would remain after March 20, from the assurances they have been given, is the need to install bucket seats for fans all around the stadiums. CAF says this is necessary to determine stadium capacity for health and safety reasons.
Barbourfields Stadium, which had been designated to host the match, will see the enlargement of dressing rooms to include a massage table and refrigerator each; construction of a doping room with a TV and refrigerator; a media centre with WiFi as well as secure parking for VIPs.
The National Sports Stadium in Harare was largely condemned for its poor playing surface, and is unlikely to be ready for the Algeria match.
ZIFA says it is exploring the possibility of playing the Algeria match in Zambia or South Africa, should the appeal to CAF fail.
CAF condemned Barbourfields in Bulawayo, Mandava in Zvishavane and the National Sports Stadium in Harare after they failed inspection visits by last November.
Zimbabwe are in the same group as Algeria, Zambia and Botswana in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. They finish their campaign at home to Zambia in September.
The World Cup qualifiers get under way in October, though the fixtures have yet to be released. Zimbabwe have been drawn in a pool with Ghana, South Africa and Ethiopia.
