Audio By Carbonatix
Zimbabwe may have to find a 'home' away from home when they kick-off their World Cup qualifiers later in the year after being barred from hosting international matches by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) confirmed on Tuesday that all three of their main stadia - Barbourfields in Bulawayo, Mandava in Zvishavane and the National Sports Stadium in Harare - had failed inspection visits by CAF last November.
They are due to host Algeria in March in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and finish that campaign at home to Zambia in September.
The World Cup qualifiers get under way in October, though the fixtures have yet to be released. Zimbabwe have been drawn in a pool with Ghana, South Africa and Ethiopia.
"Stadium authorities were notified of CAF’s position and the urgent nature of the situation at hand," ZIFA said in a statement.
"To date, neither of the three stadium authorities has requested us to invite CAF for another inspection, a position which CAF has said led to the decision to bar all three stadiums from hosting international matches."
ZIFA went on to plead for stakeholders including the government to provide funding to complete the work needed at the dilapidated venues.
"In this moment we urge all stakeholders to work for a common cause for us to quickly right this wrong which takes away our sovereignty.
"We have been using stadiums which do not meet CAF and FIFA standards for a while now, but we need to put our heads together as a country to ensure that our stadiums are renovated to meet required standards," it said.
"We are hopeful that everyone who has influence to expedite the process of bringing our teams back home will do their part."
ZIFA confirmed that it was exploring alternative venues in neighbouring countries.
Latest Stories
-
Creative Canvas 2025: Documenting Ghana’s creative year beyond the noise
56 minutes -
Alhassan Suhuyini makes Christmas donations to churches within Tamale North Constituency
4 hours -
Meet 81-year-old father of UCC Acting Vice-Chancellor, who recently graduated with an MBA
5 hours -
Did you know that Ken Ofori-Atta’s lawyer, Enayat Qasimi, is the ‘Ken Ofori-Atta of Afghanistan? – Kay Codjoe writes
5 hours -
Kidnap suspect arrested in Tamale as Police rescue victim after four days
5 hours -
Tema Oil Refinery resumes crude refining after years of shutdown
5 hours -
Kojo Antwi thrills fans with regal entry, marathon performance at ‘Antwified’ concert
6 hours -
Ofori Amponsah surprises KiDi at ‘Likor On The Beach’ 2025
6 hours -
Joy FM thanks sponsors, partners and patrons after spectacular 2025 Family Party-in-the-Park
6 hours -
‘Christmas babies’ and their mothers in Volta and Oti regions receive MTN hampers
6 hours -
One dead, another injured after accident at Atwedie
7 hours -
Maggi Waakye Summit draws thousands as Ghana’s biggest waakye festival returns
8 hours -
Western Regional Minister urges Ghanaians to use Christmas to deepen national cohesion  Â
8 hours -
Thousands turn Aburi Gardens into a festive paradise at Joy FM’s Party in the Park
8 hours -
Source of GOLDBOD’s trading funds questioned amid reported $214m loss
9 hours
