SYDNEY NCUBE
SPORTS REPORTER
MIDLANDS – The ZIFA Central Region Soccer League executive has been in the past seasons criticized for allowing allegedly substandard grounds to be approved for the sake of playing football however, this year they have taken a new stanza as they have approved 13 of the 27 grounds submitted by teams.
Among the grounds not approved is Gresham grounds which was used by FC Platinum U19 team for the past seasons, Gweru Sports Club, Long John Stadium.
The league was supposed to commence the weekend of April 5, 2025 but was postponed to April, 12 to allow teams to register players and also fix other issues.
The homologation of stadia is a country wide problem as currently Zimbabwe as a nation is playing its home games away with South Africa being our main host, this might be the case with certain clubs in the Central Region Division 1 Soccer League as they might have to play home matches away if they do not do what needs to be done.
A memo from the Central Region Division 1 Soccer League Executive read” The member clubs of the above mentioned grounds are required to take immediate action to address the identified deficiencies and non-compliances. Re-lnspection will be conducted within seven days,” it read.
This is a chance for teams like Jame West to fix their Yellow Machine ground so that they play their home games in Mberengwa where they were rampant last season on their road to promotion or they will have to travel to Zvishavane either for Maglas Stadium or McAdams.
