Warriors to play next home matches at the National Sports Stadium – Coventry

Minister says partner found to upgrade 60 000-seater sports facility

By Sports Reporter

Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Kirsty Coventry says the Warriors will host their next matches on home soil after government has penned an agreement agreed terms with a partner to upgrade the banned National Sports Stadium to levels recommended by CAF.

The Zimbabwe Senior National Men’s Football team has been forced to seek alternative venues outside the country its international matches after the 60 000-seater sports facility by banned by CAF back in 2020.

Zimbabwe also does not have any other stadium that meets standards set by the continental football body after the unpopular embargo was also extended on Bulawayo’s Barbourfields.

Last year, the Warriors used a stadium in Kigali, Rwanda to host Nigeria in a FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Coventry told parliament’s Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture committee on Thursday that her ministry has found partners to assist with the National Sports Stadium’s renovation ahead of the next Warriors matches.

“The goal is to make sure that we do not play another game outside the country and I do believe we are on track to make sure that it happens.

“I promise you that I am doing everything in my power to make sure that we will not play another home game outside this country,” Coventry said.

The Warriors are set to play their next FIFA World Cup home match against neighbours Lesotho in June this year.

Commenting on the partnership, Coventry said she was not yet at liberty to disclose the dates and identity of the stakeholder.

“I will not give you specific dates because of the partnership that we have.

“They have asked us to respect them and give them a bit of time to internally put things in place then make a formal announcement,” she said.