Today, all eyes will be on the tour of Rufaro Stadium by the ZIFA Normalisation Committee’s First Instance Board. The purpose of the visit is to assess whether the venue now meets the international standards required for hosting soccer matches.
Rufaro Stadium holds significant importance for the Premier Soccer League this season, especially since the National Sports Stadium will be unavailable for nearly two months due to crucial renovations necessary for the return of international football in the country. Both Harare giants Dynamos and CAPS United, lacking their own stadiums, rely on Rufaro and the National Sports Stadium for their home matches.
The domestic action is scheduled to kick off on February 24 with the Castle Challenge Cup between last season’s Chibuku Super Cup winners Dynamos and league champions Ngezi Platinum Stars. Therefore, the issue of venues is of top priority, prompting the ZIFA NC to establish the FIB to ensure that stadiums and all 18 top-flight teams comply with requirements.
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Led by former Warriors manager Shariff Mussa, this year’s FIB is tasked with examining grounds to ensure they meet the minimum standards and ensuring clubs adhere to club licensing requirements as per international expectations.
Rufaro Stadium, a major venue that last hosted Premiership games in 2019, has been under scrutiny for the past four years due to failing eligibility tests. The stadium has undergone the latest round of renovations, with Harare mayor Jacob Mafume recently conducting another tour to ensure compliance.
Mafume expressed optimism about meeting FIB expectations, emphasizing that the stadium has undergone significant transformation.
Despite the postponement of the proposed Mayor’s Cup Charity Cup, Mafume remains hopeful that the tournament will proceed if Rufaro Stadium receives approval from the First Instance Board.
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