No explanation yet for Zifa Normalisation Committe...

No explanation yet for Zifa Normalisation Committee no-show at Hearts Stadium

Patience Muchemwa

The Zifa Normalisation Committee’s snub of the official opening of Walter Magaya’s The Heart Stadium in Waterfalls has sparked controversy.

The Heart Stadium was officially commissioned by President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Saturday.

The occasion was also witnessed by Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister, Kirsty Coventry and Sports and Recreation Commission officials, among others.

Contacted for comment Zifa Normalisation Committee member, Rosemary Mugadza, told Zim Now that she was not in a position to respond to why they did not turn up for the official opening, while the NC chairperson Lincoln Mutasa was not reachable.

“I am in Bulawayo attending my father in the hospital, I can’t respond to you. Find out from other members,” she said.

A Zimbabwe premier soccer league coach, who refused to be named, told Zim Now, that there were rumours circulating that Magaya is fighting to be the next ZIFA president, so the Normalisation Committee are afraid he might scuttle their chances.

“They are afraid of competition, rumours are saying Magaya wants to be the next Zifa president.”

A Zimbabwean football supporter who is known by his nom de guerre, Gafa said the Normalisation Committee showed disrespect by not showing up.

“They disrespected the President.”

Antony Mhembere, a football supporter, agreed with Gafa saying Zifa NC disrespected the President.

Another football fan, Gray Muromo thought the Prophetic, Healing and Deliverance Ministries founder had done very well in building the stadium.

“Magaya has done something good for all Zimbabweans – individuals and corporates alike - to emulate. At least if the stadium eventually meets Fifa specifications, then the better because at least local teams can host teams from outside Zimbabwe at The Heart Stadium.

“The Zifa Normalisation Committee superintend over all matters football. Now, if they boycott a function where the President is the guest of honour, what perception of themselves are they portraying to ordinary Zimbabweans? If they had differences with whoever, they still were supposed to attend the commissioning and then withdraw into their shells.

“It appears the Zifa Normalisation Committee might not be able to normalise anything after all if they start off like this,” Gray “Gazza” Muromo, a staunch CAPS United supporter, told Zim Now.

Yet another supporter, Dr Ntokozo Nyathi felt The Heart Stadium is private property.

“It is Magaya’s stadium, he invited the people he wanted. He wanted to popularise himself so he was pushing his agenda,” Dr Ntokozo Nyathi, told Zim Now.

The Heart Stadium has an initial capacity of 5 000 people with Magaya intimating that its capacity will be raised to about 10 000 by February 2024.

Currently, Zimbabwe has no Confederation of African Football-approved stadium as they all have not met Fifa standards.

Because Zimbabwe has no Fifa-sanctioned stadiums, the national men’s senior soccer team last month played their home matches in Rwanda.