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Langton Nyakwenda

RUFARO Stadium will host an official football match for the first time since 2019 this afternoon as CAPS United host newcomers, Bikita Minerals in a Week 3 fixture of the 2024 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League.

Harare-based teams, including giants CAPS United and Dynamos, waited patiently as ZIFA First Instance Board chairman Sharif Mussa and his team conducted the final inspection at the Mbare venue yesterday.

It was a very long process that lasted more than six hours.

When Mussa emerged from the rigorous exercise to announce that Rufaro had been partially homologated, there was a positive vibe across the football fraternity.

“We went to Rufaro today (yesterday), and we did our inspection based on previous inspections after having left them with a snag list of things to sort out, we have now seen remarkable improvement, and they have done a splendid job in trying to work,” said Mussa.

“The mayor and the relevant people have done a great job in moving towards great achievement.

“So, we have decided that we will temporarily homologate Rufaro immediately.”

Mussa however, warned that Rufaro will be de-homologated if there are no improvements to specific areas highlighted during yesterday’s inspection.

“There’s a bit of things they have to do. We have given them another snag list which they will work on and we will be monitoring it regularly to see that they maintain the work and the effort, and they get better at it.

“If we see complacency and they don’t work on anything then we will have to temporarily hold the homologation.”

The 61-year-old venue has been under renovations following years of deterioration and now returns to the fold after 1, 566 days of closure. The last Premier Soccer League match at Rufaro was the goalless draw between Harare City and Ngezi Platinum Stars on December 14, 2019.

The return of Rufaro has excited Premier Soccer League chairman Farai Jere who is confident the venue can attract huge crowds.

“It’s exciting times for the Premier Soccer League.

“We all know Rufaro is the ceremonial home of football and we have all been missing the facility,” Jere told Zimpapers Sports.

Without Rufaro, Harare teams including Dynamos and CAPS United used the National Sports.

Sadly, when the National Sports was closed midway through the 2023 season, both DeMbare and Makepekepe shifted base to Barbourfields, in an unprecedented development while other teams relocated to Kariba, Mhondoro, and Zvishavane.

Attendance figures plummeted as the National Sports is located far away from several high-density suburbs like Mabvuku and Chitungwiza.

But Jere is convinced the availability of Rufaro will be a game changer.

“We expect the attendance figures to boost because Rufaro has a pulling power thanks to its centrality,” said Jere.

Added Jere: “It’s an interesting period because we also have the Easter bumper fixture which has got some exciting match ups.

“Fans should expect excitement and I want to urge them to throng the venues across the country.”

Fixtures

Today: CAPS United v Bikita Minerals (Rufaro), Arenel Movers v Herentals (Luveve), FC Platinum v Chicken Inn (Mandava), ZPC Kariba v Ngezi Platinum Stars (Nyamhunga), Green Fuel v TelOne (GreenFuel Arena), Manica Diamonds v Chegutu Pirates (Sakubva)

Tomorrow: Highlanders v Simba Bhora (Barbourfields), Hwange v Bulawayo Chiefs (Colliery), Yadah v Dynamos (Rufaro)

Sunday: Chegutu Pirates v Green Fuel (Baobab), Chicken Inn v ZPC Kariba (Luveve), Herentals v FC Platinum (Nyamhunga), CAPS United v Arenel Movers (Rufaro)

Monday: Simba Bhora v Hwange (Wadzanai), TelOne v Highlanders (Bata), Ngezi Platinum Stars v Manica Diamonds (Baobab), Bulawayo Chiefs v Yadah (Luveve), Bikita Minerals v Dynamos (Sakubva)