Poor maintenance costs Barbourfields Stadium
BULAWAYO – The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Zimbabwe and Botswana initially scheduled for Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo on November 15 has been moved to the National Sports Stadium in Harare over flood light failure.
ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela said:
“The decision to move the match follows communication from the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) on the issue of floodlights at Barbourfields Stadium where they could not guarantee their good working order as they were last put to use in 2017 during the Cosafa Women’s Championship.”
“In the absence of such a guarantee and in pursuit of conformance with their minimum requirements, CAF has switched the match to the National Sports Stadium to avoid potential of flood light failure during the match-a situation that could trigger security risk to the fans, players and officials.”
“ZIFA had pleaded with the continental mother body to move the match to 1500hrs on the same day, but CAF could not grant the request as all qualifiers, across Africa, will be played at 1800hrs.”
