Rufaro stadium renovations to be complete in time ...

Rufaro stadium renovations to be complete in time for Harare derby - Mafume

Harare City Council explain how they will fund Rufaro Stadium renovations after Sakunda withdrawal - Soccer24

Bridget Mabanda

Harare mayor Jacob Mafume has assured the football community that the Harare derby between Dynamos and Caps United will be played at Rufaro Stadium this season as he is confident that the stadium will be complete.

Speaking during a recent tour of the ceremonial home of Zimbabwean football, Mafume expressed satisfaction on the current pace of the renovations.

The match pitting the two arch-rivals is one of the most closely-contested on the local soccer calendar and often attracts a huge following on the local front.

“I’m certain that one of the biggest and important matches in the football calendar between Caps and Dynamos will be played in the stadium. I have looked at the itinerary and I’m sure it will be played here.

“We have seen the pitch and the work being done. For the changing rooms we are going to have a shower for every player so that they don’t have to stand in a queue. We are going to make the changing rooms more airy and wider which would be comfortable for both the home and away teams,” he said.

The 2023 Premier Soccer League season is set to commence Saturday, with some exciting matches lined up and the derby will be in Week Seven of the 2023 season.

He said everything is going to be changed, including the VIP stands and media area, among others, and buckets seats will be changed stage by stage until the whole ground is covered.

“An automated irrigation will be placed so that the turf is continuously maintained,” he said.

The mayor said the stadium will be a model for other stadiums around the country.