After years of silence on the continental stage, the National Sports Stadium will once again echo with the roar of African football. CAF has approved the iconic Harare venue for the CAF Champions League preliminary stage, a decision that signals progress in Zimbabwe’s quest to reclaim its place on the African football map. While this clearance allows club competition to return home, the Warriors’ long-awaited homecoming remains in limbo, with CAF still holding back approval for international matches.
The clearance follows months of work to meet CAF’s minimum stadium standards after years of disapproval due to outdated infrastructure. For years, Zimbabwean teams were forced to host continental matches abroad, a costly and demoralising scenario for clubs, players, and fans alike. The partial return of the NSS marks a morale boost, reducing logistical headaches and bringing the energy of home support back into the equation.
CAF’s nod means the stadium has met basic requirements for player facilities, seating, safety, and media operations at club level. However, the fact that the Warriors still cannot play there underscores that work remains. Past CAF reports flagged critical shortcomings such as inadequate changing rooms, poor floodlighting, worn seating, and insufficient modern broadcasting infrastructure. While some of these have been addressed, others still need urgent attention before full international clearance is granted.
The return of Champions League football to the NSS is not just a sporting milestone, it is also a symbolic statement. It shows that with targeted investment and commitment, Zimbabwe can begin to restore its sporting pride. The NSS has hosted legendary moments in African football history, and its partial reopening is a reminder of what is possible when standards are met.
Yet, this is not the finish line. Full restoration would mean bringing back the electric atmosphere of Warriors home matches and re-establishing Harare as a prime venue for major CAF and regional finals. Until then, the September kickoff will serve as both a celebration of progress and a challenge to finish the job.
