The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) has announced that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has granted exceptional and strictly conditional authorisation for the return of spectators to the National Sports Stadium, following recent safety concerns.
CAF had banned spectators from the National Sports Stadium following last month’s 2-1 defeat for the Warriors against the Democratic Republic of Congo, after an incident at Gate Two before kick-off in which a fan tragically died, followed by a pitch invasion after the final whistle..
In a statement issued on Saturday, 10 October 2026, ZIFA confirmed that a maximum of 10,000 spectators per match will now be admitted for two upcoming fixtures, namely the Women’s LA28 Olympic Football Tournament Qualifier between Zimbabwe and Malawi scheduled for 13 October 2026, and the CAF Champions League encounter between Scottland FC and Atlético Petróleos de Luanda, which is provisionally set for 17 October 2026 subject to confirmation of the official fixture date.
ZIFA reiterated its heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the supporter who tragically lost their life, stating that the safety of spectators, players, officials and all match personnel remains its foremost priority. To ensure compliance with CAF’s stringent conditions, the Association announced that stadium gates will now open five hours before kick-off, with supporters strongly encouraged to arrive early to allow adequate time for security screening, orderly entry and seating. Admission will be strictly controlled, attendance will not exceed the authorised limit, and spectators will be confined to designated and approved areas only, while detailed ticketing, entry and parking arrangements will be announced separately ahead of the matches.
The Association further emphasised that it maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards hooliganism, violence, intimidation, vandalism, forced entry and any behaviour that threatens public safety, warning that offenders will be refused entry, removed from the stadium or banned from attending matches as appropriate. Supporters have been urged to comply with instructions from police, stewards and match officials, to keep access routes and emergency exits clear at all times, and to promptly report any unsafe behaviour. Enhanced measures will be implemented to cover crowd management, access control, security deployment, medical services and emergency response, and a CAF Safety and Security Officer will be deployed to monitor and assess their implementation, with failure to meet the conditions potentially resulting in further restrictions or the withdrawal of the authorisation.
ZIFA sincerely thanked the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, for the formal guarantees provided to CAF, its continued commitment to the development of sport and its support for safer sporting facilities, while also acknowledging the cooperation and dedication of the security services, medical teams, emergency responders and stadium authorities. The Association also expressed gratitude to CAF for its constructive engagement and continued support, noting that its assessment of these matches, including the effectiveness of the corrective measures, will inform decisions on future spectator access. ZIFA concluded by urging every supporter to uphold the arrangements and help protect this opportunity to welcome fans back to the stadium, calling on them to rally behind their teams with passion, respect and discipline in order to make the National Sports Stadium a safe and welcoming venue for everyone.
