Sakubva Stadium renovations to last 7 months

Zim Now Writer

Renovations of Sakubva Stadium in Mutare, one of the football venues that were banned from hosting Premier Soccer League matches are set to start on July 1 and last about seven months, implying that residents of the city of Mutare may not witness top-flight action this season.

The local authority wants to renovate the turf and drainage system in the stadium, which is home to Manica Diamonds, who have been playing their home matches far away from home at Gibbo Stadium in Triangle.

Local businessman Esau Mupfumi had promised to provide short term renovations that were aimed at convincing domestic football authorities to immediately lift the suspension of the facility from hosting Premiership matches.

The latest indications from the City of Mutare effectively block Mupfumi’s overtures.

Mutare’s acting Town Clerk, Blessing Chafesuka said: “City of Mutare has already engaged a contractor. The start date for the works is July 1, 2023, and the contractor is currently doing mobilisation which is at an advanced stage.

“City of Mutare’s position on the proposed assistance by Mupfumi in renovating Sakubva Stadium is that his request for temporary works is no longer acceptable, since the current mobilisation works are at an advanced stage and are expected to be completed within seven months. Allowing temporary works will make it difficult to meet the set target.”

The local authority, however, indicated that it still welcomes support from the corporate sector.

“However, council is willing to accept any form of assistance as evidenced by a full council resolution of the meeting held on April 17, 2023.

“The resolution says: The council accepts assistance from the corporate sector or well-wishers on the upgrading of Sakubva Stadium.

“That the assistance fits into the scope of work required to be done in line with the Premier Soccer League inspection reports, CAF guidelines and council plans and that the rehabilitation of the turf and drainage system need to be done using the contractor that the council will hire as identified through its tender process.

“There are other major works that are still available for support. The other outstanding works for the stadium are cited in the Premier Soccer League report and they include the following: segregation of the home and away team zones, repair of the perimeter fence and the VIP fence, provision for the storm water drain covers, new ablution facilities for the VIPs, painting of the evacuation gates and provision of standard technical area with dug-outs. If there are any well-wishers who wish to assist, they must be guided by the above.”

The Premier Soccer League is currently embroiled in a nasty misunderstanding with Gweru-based new-boys, Shesham, whose renovated Bata Stadium was deemed fit to host top-flight league football matches by the First Instance Body – the Zimbabwe Football Association arm responsible for assessing football match venues as per Fifa Club Licencing standards.

The club hosted Highlanders at Bata Stadium and while Bosso did not raise any complains, the PSL issued a communique suspending the same football match venue which the FIB had sanctioned.