ZPC Kariba are set to play their Castle Premiership football matches at their home ground Nyamhunga Stadium for the first time this season since their promotion into the elite league, with the club saying the venue will be ready for use by mid-February. TAWANDA TAFIRENYIKA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
The Saul Chaminuka-coached side which had a memorable campaign last term when they finished second to eventual champions Dynamos in the league marathon in their debut season had adopted Gwanzura Stadium in Harare as their home ground after Nyamhunga was condemned by the Premier Soccer League (PSL) grounds committee because it did not meet their standards.
While the pitch and the perimeter fence to the ground had been completed, the grounds of concern by the PSL had been the terraces and dressing rooms which failed to pass the test, forcing the club travel about 370km to Harare.
But there have been major developments at the stadium of late and club spokesperson Fadzai Chisveto said the stadium would be ready for use by mid-February.
“We have so far completed the perimeter wall as well as the perimeter fence. The turf and the changing rooms for the players have also been completed. We are currently working on completing the VIP terraces, and renovating the referees changing rooms. We also have eight entrance gates which we are working to complete. As we speak, contractors are on site working on these outstanding issues. The stadium is expected to be ready for use by mid February 2015,” Chisveto said.
The PSL has revealed that league action is expected to kick off on March 7.
This means the ZPC Kariba management will have to work round the clock to ensure the facility is completed and meets the standards of the PSL before the season kicks off.
There are some who believe that ZPC Kariba could have won the championship had they been playing their home matches at Nyamhunga.
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Team coach Chaminuka often complained about travelling after the club adopted Gwanzura in Harare as their home ground.
But to his credit, Chaminuka guided the side to a second-place finish in only their first season in the top-flight league.
ZPC Kariba, however, lost some of their key players with veteran striker Limited Chikafa, one of the Soccer Stars of the Year finalists, and defender Obey Mwerahari joining cash-rich How Mine and Dynamos respectively.
They are, however, making some exciting additions to the squad with former Dynamos vice captain Thomas Magorimbo being one of their recent acquisitions.
