Zimbabwe’s National Sports Stadium wins CAF Category 3 approval

Zimbabwe’s National Sports Stadium has received CAF Category 3 approval, clearing the venue to host international football again. The decision allows the country to stage matches at home after several years of using venues outside Zimbabwe.

The approval follows a recent technical inspection and progress on priority renovation work. It means the stadium can be considered for Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup qualifiers, subject to the requirements of each competition.

Category 3 status also covers CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup group-stage and quarter-final matches. Zimbabwean clubs competing in those tournaments may therefore be able to play selected home fixtures at the National Sports Stadium, depending on the specific standards required for each match.

CAF had ruled the stadium out of international use in 2021 after it failed to meet the minimum requirements. Zimbabwe’s national team and clubs involved in CAF competitions subsequently had to move their home matches to alternative venues in other countries.

The Zimbabwean government responded by directing resources towards renovations, while the Zimbabwe Football Association worked with the authorities to address the issues identified during the inspection. The approval marks the stadium’s return as Zimbabwe’s main venue for international football.

Zimbabwe are expected to host the Democratic Republic of Congo in a 2028 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier next month. The match would provide an early opportunity for the national team to use the refurbished stadium in a competitive international fixture, subject to the competition’s specific requirements.