The wider implications of the CAF ban on Zimbabwe hosting international matches

A few days ago, the bombshell dropped that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) had banned Zimbabwe from using its stadia to hold home international matches.

While it was expected following an earlier inspection, the reality of the matter is that the was a shocker all the same.

While the focus is on football and quite rightly so, there are wider implications for Zimbabwe.

A big question to be asked is, what else has fallen foul of international norms? How far behind on infrastructural development are we really? Sure, the buildings are there, but if they were to be inspected against international standards, how many would pass the smell test?

The realities are stark. And the implications. Says Ngonidzashe Dzirutwe whose company Global Renaissance Investments is hosting an infrastructure summit from 4 to 7 March 2020 in Vic falls:

The implications are humongous such as unnecessary loss of forex to SA, loss of income too and bad publicity. Zimbabwe needs a robust infrastructural development in all spheres.

And when we asked him why stadiums like Baobab and Mandava which were built by private players, Dzirutwe said:

The private ones were constructed by companies who were just offering social services not being profitable business now it high time to look at sports as business not just entertainment. This calls for a mind shift now.

While there is some food for thought, the real questions come back to whether we can and are willing to adhere to international norms for infrastructure development and maintenance. You look at legacy infrastructure like Magamba Hockey Stadium and Chitungwiza Aquatic Complex which were built for the All Africa Games hosted in 1994, you wonder really. The Complex for example has now become more synonymous with hosting concerts than it is with its original intended purpose.

And that is where the other implication is. The sport surely does take a knock. Watching the Warriors playing will be for Zimbabweans in the diaspora and those who have passports. Yes, to access ‘home’ matches, one will need to have a passport and we already know getting one is like asking for hen’s teeth. It widens the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

The Bulawayo City Council which owns Barbourfield Stadium has said it will work hard to sort their spot out.

And Harare is suddenly fixing Gwanzura Stadium all of a sudden but we don’t know what the plan is.

Sports Minister has said:

We all know that the stadiums in Zimbabwe have been deteriorating for ages but it is now my responsibility to make sure we fix this mess. Overnight solutions will not work but know that I am on it. I will keep you posted so don’t listen to other nonsense out there.

Journalist Maynard Manyowa was not optimistic she could do anything: