RUFARO STADIUM UNDERGOES LIGHTWORKS REFURBISHMENT

Text by Martin Chemhere

The renovations have come as a great relief for soccer fans in Harare and the country’s leading soccer club, Dynamos, who were using the facility before it was condemned in 2019 by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) for its poor condition.

Unused for some time, the 60-000 capacity stadium’s completion will bring relief to the Premier Soccer League, and small businesses including vendors, who sold various goods on match days.

Renovations at the 1963 built stadium, are being carried out at the Mbare-based “ceremonial home of Zimbabwean football”, by City Parking in partnership with the Harare City Council (HCC), including work on the turnstiles, turf, and installation of a second solar powered-borehole which are all now finished and the floodlight system. As part of the deal, City Parking is also expected to renovate the perimeter wall, construct a parking lot, and shopping complex and revamp the B Arena ground. The upgrade will enable the stadium to match the standards set by the Premier Soccer League. Among other source materials, bricks, river sand, pit sand, and cement are being used for the project.