Yemurai Tembo
The newly constructed 15,000-seater Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe by businessman Shepherd Chahwanda is nearing completion, with the facility increasingly drawing visitors from across the Midlands Province and beyond as anticipation builds ahead of its official opening.
Positioned as one of the most modern football facilities in Zimbabwe, the stadium has already emerged as an unexpected tourist attraction, with members of the public visiting the site to view the state-of-the-art structure and newly installed bucket seating system, a feature largely absent at most local stadiums.
Zimbabwe has in recent years faced challenges in hosting international matches, with the senior national team often playing its home fixtures in neighbouring South Africa due to infrastructure limitations.
While the National Sports Stadium in Harare, with its 60,000-seat capacity, remains the country’s largest facility, it has undergone prolonged renovations and only recently began installing bucket seats and new turf as part of compliance upgrades.
Last year, Arts, Recreation and Culture Minister Anselem Sanyatwe said he had personally inspected the project at the National Sports Stadium and was satisfied with the pace of construction.
“I have personally witnessed the contractors working flat out day and night, and I have given them the deadline for them to complete,” he said.
“The work is supposed to be completed by the beginning of the 2026 season. I have given them time to tie up the loose ends, so to be precise, it should be before the beginning of the season,” he added.
Well, the National Sports Stadium is yet to be completed, and the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League is just two weeks away with no updates coming from the Minister of Sport.
Rufaro Stadium, another historic venue, has also struggled to meet Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards.
Chahwanda Stadium was recently inspected by Confederation of African Football (CAF) stadium inspector Aloys Mpambara as part of efforts to clear the venue for international fixtures.
The inspection marked a significant step toward restoring Zimbabwe’s ability to host continental matches on home soil.
In addition to meeting modern stadium requirements, Chahwanda Stadium’s Main Arena is set to become the first local facility in Zimbabwe to install electronic touchline advertising banners.
The system will allow for dynamic stadium advertising during matches, marking a technological upgrade in domestic football infrastructure.
Beyond its sporting significance, the stadium has generated widespread social media attention with public figures and residents sharing images and videos of their visits.
Dancehall musician Freeman HKD wrote on Facebook after touring the facility:
“So yesterday I passed through Kwekwe, then I dashed to Chahwanda Stadium, I wanted to see the progress and trust me it’s a beautiful stadium right now in our country”, said Freeman HKD.
Freeman HKD emphasised the need for more facilities like Chahwanda Stadium.
“As a country, if we have four or five like this, it will be nice, kudos to the man behind all this hard work and Hard Rock Football Club big up”, Freeman HKD added.
The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe Vabvuwi also visited the stadium and held prayers for the facility and the home team ahead of the upcoming season.
Socialites Ginimbilite and RitzMaclesh described the venue as “a beautiful place to visit with your loved ones,” while Dan Grego said he had travelled to Kwekwe specifically to witness the development.
The official opening of Chahwanda Stadium is expected next week.
If approved for international use, the facility could signal a turning point for Zimbabwean football infrastructure while continuing to attract members of the public eager to witness what many are calling a symbol of renewed ambition in the country’s sporting landscape.
