ZIFA have secured Orlando Stadium as the venue for the
Warriors’ 2021 AFCON qualifier against the Desert Foxes while the association
continue to sell the nation a dummy that they are battling to have the match
played in Zimbabwe.
Authoritative sources in South Africa told The Herald
yesterday that ZIFA chief executive, Joseph Mamutse, yesterday sealed a
contract with his South African Football Association counterparts for the match
to be held at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
This is in sharp contrast to the song which the ZIFA
officials have been singing in public saying they were confident of getting the
Confederation of African Football to give the greenlight to Barbourfields to
host that blockbuster showdown.
A number of ZIFA officials have, in the past few days,
given an impression that they are waiting for CAF to make a decision, possibly
this week, amid hopes in their camp that the big game will be played here in
Zimbabwe.
However, The Herald can reveal that Mamutse, who is in
South Africa on business, signed an agreement with his SAFA counterparts for
the match to be held at Orlando Stadium.
‘‘Mamutse is here in SA for a FIFA workshop, he met with
SAFA (officials) today and signed the agreement, the match is at Orlando
Stadium,’’ said the sources.
‘‘Some ZIFA guys are likely to travel to Johannesburg on
Wednesday or Thursday to work on the logistics.’’
ZIFA have been sending signals to the Government, which
intervened with a massive programme to renovate the National Sports Stadium and
Barbourfields, that they were hoping to get the match played in Zimbabwe.
The Government and other stakeholders have been working
overtime with the owners of the stadium, Bulawayo City Council, to get the
stadium ready for inspection.
The workmen at Barbourfields had been given a deadline,
until end of day today, to complete the most critical aspects of the required
standards, as mentioned in the CAF report.
However, the association have — on the other hand — been
securing a deal with foreign partners for the match against Algeria to be
played in South Africa.
Chief Director in the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and
Recreation, Benson Martins Dube, who is currently in Bulawayo overseeing the
work, said he was impressed by the pace of the refurbishments at Barbourfields.
“There has been a lot of commitment from everyone involved.
Resources have been availed and the staff on the ground is working very hard,’’
he said.
‘‘I can tell you Barbourfields has changed from what it
used to be. We had given ourselves up to Tuesday (today) to work on
the most urgent requirements and the most encouraging thing is that we are
meeting the deadlines.
“There has been massive work in the changing rooms, the
medical rooms, the doping rooms and the ablution facilities.
‘‘I am sure this ground is now good to go. We are now
waiting for ZIFA to send pictorial evidence to CAF and this should be done by
end of day tomorrow.’’
Association spokesperson, Xolisani Gwesela, yesterday said
they were still confident the blockbuster game could still be held in this
country.
Gwesela said they were still hopeful of a positive response
to the appeal to CAF.
“ZIFA is still engaging CAF on the matter and no binding
decision has been arrived at as yet,’’ he said.
“We appeal to the football fraternity to be patient as the
engagement goes on; hoping that CAF will grant us our sovereignty to play home
matches in Zimbabwe.
“ZIFA is grateful to the Government, and all other
stakeholders, for the great strides made since the ban to ensure that stadiums
are upgraded to meet international standards.”
Another letter, advising ZIFA that they need to reveal the
name of the stadium where they will host Algeria, came from CAF on Sunday.
However, just like other official communications
surrounding the case, it was not availed to the media and public.
ZIFA were directed by CAF to look for an alternative venue
for the match scheduled for March 31 after Barbourfields was added to the list
of banned stadiums in Zimbabwe
CAF last month announced a blanket ban of all Zimbabwean
stadiums saying they do not meet the minimum standards to host international
matches.
The continental football mother body given partial approval
for Barbourfields to host the game.
ZIFA are still hoping CAF will send an inspection team this
week to look at the revamped Barbourfields.
Regional football bloc, COSAFA, have also chipped in to try
and have Zimbabwe given back the right to play their home matches on the
domestic front.
However, an official yesterday said it was unlikely CAF
will reverse their decision for the match to be played on neutral soil.
“The procedure for re-inspection is quite thorough. First,
work has to be done on the ground,’’ said the official.
‘‘After the work has been completed, the local club
licensing manager is supposed to conduct an inspection and produce a report.
“It has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt that the
facility meets the required standards and then an application is made to CAF to
send an inspection team.
‘‘The CAF inspector will evaluate the state of the stadium
and then a decision is made.’’ Herald
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