The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has provided clarification on why the newly inaugurated Heart Stadium, owned by Prophet Walter Magaya, will not be hosting CAF (Confederation of African Football) matches. Despite its grand opening by President Emmerson Mnangagwa in 2023 and its impressive 40,000-seat capacity, the Heart Stadium does not meet the necessary requirements for CAF-sanctioned games.
In an official statement, ZIFA addressed recent reports suggesting that the Heart Stadium could serve as a venue for CAF fixtures involving Zimbabwean clubs Ngezi Platinum Stars and Dynamos FC. According to ZIFA, preliminary inspections revealed that the stadium does not comply with several critical CAF standards.
ZIFA’s statement emphasized that despite thorough efforts by the Club Licensing Department to ensure compliance with CAF regulations, the stadium fell short in several key areas. The inspection process highlighted the following issues:
1. **Lack of Stadium Safety and Security Certificate**: The stadium was unable to provide this essential certificate, which is crucial for hosting international matches.
2. **Missing Facilities**: The Heart Stadium lacks a media tribune, a designated area for vulnerable individuals, and its ablution facilities do not meet the required standards set by CAF.
Due to these deficiencies, ZIFA has stated that the Heart Stadium cannot be sanctioned for CAF competitions. As a result, Zimbabwean clubs like Dynamos FC and Ngezi Platinum Stars will need to find alternative venues for their home fixtures in international tournaments.
For the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round, Dynamos FC (commonly known as Dembare) will be playing their home games at Botswana’s National Stadium against ZESCO United, as reported by Soccer24. ZIFA’s statement aims to address and correct any misinformation regarding the Heart Stadium’s ability to host CAF games, underlining the importance of adhering to established standards for international football events.
In other news – Miss Michigan Alma Cooper Crowned Miss USA
Alma Cooper, Miss Michigan, was crowned Miss USA on Sunday, August 4, 2024, during the pageant’s 73rd annual ceremony. The event, broadcast on the CW network, comes amid ongoing controversy and organizational shake-ups within the Miss USA organization. Cooper, a 22-year-old U.S.
Army officer, data scientist, and master’s student at Stanford University, triumphed over Miss Kentucky Connor Perry and Miss Oklahoma Danika Christopherson, who were named first and second runners-up, respectively. During the pageant’s Q&A segment, Cooper shared her inspiring journey as the daughter of a migrant worker, a proud Afro-Latina, and a dedicated military officer. Read More
