International Football Returns To Zim As National Sports Stadium Gets Partial CAF Approval12 August 2025 International Football Returns To Zim As National Sports Stadium Gets Partial CAF Approval Sports Correspondent The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially approved the National Sports Stadium in Harare, signaling a major step forward for the revival of international football in Zimbabwe After more than four years without hosting an international fixture due to all local venues being condemned by CAF, the landmark approval brings hope for a renewed presence on the continental stage The National Sports Stadium has undergone extensive renovations, earning it special clearance to host Category 2 international matches This approval permits the venue to stage preliminary round games in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, along with qualifiers for the U23, U20, and U17 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) tournaments This development means Simba Bhora can return to the stadium for their upcoming clash against Nsingizi Hotspurs in September However, CAF has not yet given the green light for the senior men’s and women’s national teams to play at the venue The Warriors must continue to wait, as the stadium’s renovations have yet to meet the stringent standards required for senior international fixtures Consequently, Zimbabwe’s national team will play their forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier home matches at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg The CAF approval marks a pivotal milestone, reigniting hopes that Zimbabwe will soon fully reclaim its place as a host of international football on home soil Like this:LikeLoading All Zim News is a central hub for all things Zimbabwean, curating news from across the country so no story is missed Alongside aggregation, our team of nationwide reporters provides real-time, on-the-ground coverage Stay informed and connected — reach us at admin@allzimnews.com Source: ZimEye Source: Zimeye
