The Zimbabwe Warriors are set to play an international fixture on home soil again after years of being forced to stage their matches outside the country.
Zimbabwe will welcome the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the National Sports Stadium in Harare on Monday night for their second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match.
The fixture marks a significant moment for Zimbabwean football, with the Warriors having spent years using stadiums in South Africa and other countries for their so-called home matches.
The National Sports Stadium previously failed to meet the required standards for international football, leaving Zimbabwe without a suitable venue to host competitive fixtures.
Since November 2021, South Africa has served as the Warriors’ primary alternative, although Zimbabwe have also used venues in countries including Botswana, Rwanda and Uganda.
South African stadiums such as Orlando Stadium, Moses Mabhida Stadium and Peter Mokaba Stadium have hosted Zimbabwean international fixtures during the period.
Warriors return to Harare
The return to the National Sports Stadium gives Zimbabwean football supporters the chance to watch their national team compete in an official international match on home soil once again.
ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi welcomed the development and urged supporters to turn out for the clash with the DRC.
Magwizi thanked the countries that made their facilities available while Zimbabwe was unable to host international matches and called on fans to make the Warriors’ return memorable.
He also described the homecoming as part of a wider effort to rebuild Zimbabwean football and restore the country’s position on the international stage.
ZIFA warns that work remains
While celebrating the return to Harare, Magwizi acknowledged that Zimbabwe still has further work to do to maintain the necessary standards.
The ZIFA president said the process of rebuilding and improving football infrastructure would continue, while the remaining requirements surrounding the National Sports Stadium would also need to be addressed.
For the Warriors, however, the immediate focus will be on the pitch.
Zimbabwe will hope to mark their return to the National Sports Stadium with a strong performance against the DRC as their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign continues.
After years of playing home matches away from home, the Warriors will once again have their supporters behind them in Harare.
