By Daily Sports on February 26, 2020
Zimbabwe may have to find a ‘home’ away from home when they kick-off their World Cup qualifiers later in the year after being barred from hosting international matches by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) confirmed on Tuesday that all three of their main stadia – Barbourfields in Bulawayo, Mandava in Zvishavane and the National Sports Stadium in Harare - had failed inspection visits by CAF last November.
They are due to host Algeria in March in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and finish that 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.
“Stadium authorities were notified of CAF’s position and the urgent nature of the situation at hand,” ZIFA said in a statement.
“To date, neither of the three stadium authorities has requested us to invite CAF for another inspection, a position which CAF has said led to the decision to bar all three stadiums from hosting international matches.”
ZIFA went on to plead for stakeholders including the government to provide funding to complete the work needed at the dilapidated venues.
“In this moment we urge all stakeholders to work for a common cause for us to quickly right this wrong which takes away our sovereignty.
“We have been using stadiums which do not meet CAF and FIFA standards for a while now, but we need to put our heads together as a country to ensure that our stadiums are renovated to meet required standards,” it said.
“We are hopeful that everyone who has influence to expedite the process of bringing our teams back home will do their part.”
ZIFA confirmed that it was exploring alternative venues in neighbouring countries. (Reuters)
Source Daily Sports
Posted February 26, 2020
You may also like...
Umar rescues point for Osmanlispor
2022 World Cup Qualifier: Outrage Over Eagles’ Loss...
Aigbona, Oboh Barred From Parading Selves As SWAN...
LIKE ROOKIES, LIKE FINIDI
Messi honoured with ‘Baton of Football’, statue
David Luiz ‘confused’ under Conte — Sarri
UCL: Lookman set for Atletico return against Barca
Organisers brace for National Schools Football tourney
Semi Final Teams Emerge As Coast Clear For Final Ceremony Of 7th U-13 JOF Kids Cup Tournament
Okoye keeps seventh clean sheet in Como draw
Nnadozie relishes FA Cup progress
Akpokona recovering well, doesn’t need assistance – Son
NOC Plans To Mark 2026 Olympic Day On June 27
Onojuvwevwo sets world lead as Ogundiran breaks NAIA record
Ethiopians sweep top spots in Yenagoa 10km race
Remo, 3SC rekindle South West derby in Ikenne
NPFL: Mbaoma chase Obaje, Arumala in Golden Boot race
Chelle keen on Kayode for AFCON 2027
Most Read
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,687 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,005 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,923 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,528 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,458 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,364 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,220 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,767 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,953 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,462 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,866 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,339 views)