All eyes are on the giant National Sports Stadium (NSS) this afternoon as log leaders CAPS United face defending champions Scottland FC in a highly anticipated Harare derby.
The blockbuster clash doubles as a crucial operational test match, signaling the return of the iconic facility to hosting local football after years in the wilderness.
The NSS has been shut down for an extensive period to undergo massive government-funded renovations. This afternoon’s match is designed to assess the stadium’s systems, spectator flow, safety protocols, seating arrangements, pitch standards, and overall readiness before it is cleared for full-scale local and international events.
The journey back to the giant stadium has not been without its hurdles. In December last year, Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture minister Anselem Sanyatwe, revealed that President Emmerson Mnangagwa was determined to see the Warriors playing their home matches on local soil again. The president pushed hard for Zimbabwe’s stadium crisis to be resolved without further excuses, with the Minister making it clear that a March 2026 deadline had been set.
While that deadline was ultimately missed, the stadium has finally undergone a massive facelift but it awaits to be seen whether it will meet stringent Confederation of African Football (Caf) standards.
The facility has been fitted with modern bucket seats, and other critical areas previously red-flagged by CAF—including the media tribune, medical centre, disability centre, ablutions, and changing rooms—have now been fully addressed.
For CAPS United, the return to their traditional hunting ground brings a massive wave of nostalgia and energy. Speaking ahead of the encounter, CAPS United assistant coach Ian Bakala emphasised how much the venue means to the club as they will use it as their home.
"It's something that it's motivating also to the players who are going to play this game,” Bakala said.
“There are a lot of memories in that stadium where CAPS United is always making history through that stadium. "It's the first game after, I think, for some years.
“But players, I think they are motivated to play in the National Sports Stadium. It's been long and we hope that they're going to bring what they're doing in training to the game."
Bakala acknowledged the pressure on his players but backed them to rise to the occasion.
"It's something that it's a challenge to them where I think everyone wants to see them play according to what the club carries,” he said.
“And they are going to deliver. I've got no doubts looking at the performance, though we didn't score [in the last game].
“But this time I think it's a different problem and we just have to be focused on the game."
Makepekepe will have to navigate this massive fixture without their head coach, Takesure Chiragwi, who is away on national duty with the Warriors at the Unity Cup in London.
On the other side of the dugout, defending champions Scottland FC are looking to close the gap at the top. Scottland currently sit fourth on the log with 25 points, just three behind trailblazers CAPS United who lead the pack with 28 points.
Despite the high stakes, Scottland head coach Norman Mapeza has played down the championship significance of the encounter, refusing to label it a title decider.
"If we're going to talk about the title decider now, when you still have about 20-something games to go, then I think we start to lose focus," Mapeza told reporters. "How many games have we played? 14 now, aren't we? So it means we still have about 20 games to go. So, it's just one of those games. For us, it's about collecting maximum points."
Mapeza, who confirmed a clean bill of health for his squad, expressed his delight with the refurbished NSS playing surface after his team got a feel of the turf.
"We were there to feel the pitch. The pitch looks fantastic, the turf looking good," Mapeza said, adding a minor detail he hoped would be sorted by kickoff. "We spoke to the guys who are looking after the pitch. They said maybe they will cut the grass a little bit because it was a little bit high... then we will wait for the big game."
Both teams head into the giant venue looking to correct a recent patch of indifferent form. Log leaders CAPS United have struggled for consistency of late, managing just one win, three draws, and a defeat in their last five outings.
Scottland’s recent form has only been marginally better, recording two wins, two draws, and a solitary loss in the same period.
Despite their mixed results, the grand occasion has attracted massive interest.
Sanyatwe is expected to grace the reopening, alongside high-profile international football dignitaries, including Kaizer Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung, who is already in the country to witness the return of Zimbabwe's football citadel.