National Sports Stadium receives CAF approval for international matches

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has granted Category 3 approval to the National Sports Stadium in Harare, allowing the venue to host international matches for the first time in several years. The approval follows a technical inspection and significant renovation work aimed at addressing previous deficiencies that had barred the stadium from hosting CAF-sanctioned games.

Under this new classification, the stadium is eligible to host CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup group-stage and quarter-final matches, as well as Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and FIFA World Cup qualifiers. This development is expected to allow the Zimbabwe national team, the Warriors, to play their home fixtures in Harare again, rather than being forced to play abroad.

The Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture noted that CAF acknowledged the efforts made by the Zimbabwean government and the Zimbabwe Football Association to complete priority works. The stadium is expected to host the Warriors' upcoming AFCON qualifying campaign and will also be used by the league champions, Scottland, for their CAF Champions League debut.