Zimbabwe finally returns home after years of using South African stadiums

Zimbabwe will finally return to playing international football on home soil when the Warriors host the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at the National Sports Stadium (NSS) in Harare on Monday night.

The match marks an important moment for Zimbabwean football after the Warriors were forced to stage their home matches at venues in South Africa because the NSS was previously unable to meet the required standards.

Since November 2021, Zimbabwe have consequently spent years playing their so-called home fixtures away from home, with South African stadiums providing temporary venues for international matches.

South Africa was the main alternative venue, even though Botswana, Rwanda and Uganda stadiums were also used.

FarPost also describes South Africa as the main location, specifically mentioning Orlando, Moses Mabhida and Peter Mokaba.

The return to Harare means Zimbabwean supporters will once again have the opportunity to watch the Warriors in an official international match on home soil.

Zimbabwe football returns to National Sports Stadium

Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president Nqobile Magwizi welcomed the return of international football to Harare and called on supporters to attend the match against the DRC.

Magwizi expressed gratitude to the countries who had provided Zimbabwean teams with venues to play during the period they could not host matches at home.

“I want to thank the Zimbabwean football supporters who continued to follow the Warriors during the years when we were forced to play away from home,” Magwizi said.

“Now, let us fill the available seats at the NSS and make the return of the Warriors memorable. Let us show our players that Zimbabwe stands with them.”

The ZIFA president said the return of international football to Harare was about more than simply having a venue available for the Warriors.

“There is also something larger happening here. The return of international football to Harare is a statement about the direction of Zimbabwean football,” Magwizi said.

Zimbabwe still has work to do

Magwizi said the return of the Warriors to the NSS was part of efforts to rebuild Zimbabwean football and raise standards.

“We are rebuilding, restoring and raising standards. And we are reclaiming our place in the national sporting conversation,” he said.

However, the ZIFA president acknowledged that there was still work to be done to ensure Zimbabwe maintains the required standards.

“The journey has not been easy. There is still work to be done, and we must continue addressing the remaining requirements and maintaining the standards that have brought us back to this point,” Magwizi said.

“But progress must also be recognised when it happens.”

The Warriors will now look to mark their return to the NSS with a positive result against the DRC in their second AFCON qualifying match.