Return to Rufaro calls grow louder but…
AS calls for Dynamos to return to their traditional Rufaro home ground grow louder, domestic football authorities have revealed grim prospects regarding its immediate availability for topflight football.
Rufaro, which was last used for Premiership football three years ago, is currently in bad state despite hosting the inaugural Axis Solutions Super 8 Cup final showdown between Northern Region Soccer League sides Simba Bhora and Golden Eagles, last month.
DeMbare fans have been agitating for the swift renovations at the stadium, which was roundly condemned by the CAF and ZIFA inspectors for topflight football.
The Glamour Boys believe returning to Rufaro would boost stadium attendances for their home matches as the Harare giants, who at their peak could attract more than 30 000 fans, are now struggling to get 2 000 paying fans.
Dynamos supporters’ Harare Chapter Secretary-General Benevolent Vono told The Herald yesterday that fans are opposed to adopting the National Sports Stadium as their home ground for this long.
“Of course we understand the circumstances but supporters have been complaining about the abandonment of our Rufaro home ground. We all know the significance of Rufaro to Dynamos. So we are kindly asking the relevant authorities to consider the plight of the fans.
“They should strive to make the stadium available next season because as it stands, we are disadvantaged as Dynamos supporters.
“Dynamos supporters are so passionate about their team but there are many factors that have affected attendance this season and the issue of having to play home games away from Rufaro is one of them. Secondly, our team is playing boring football with no results.
“It then makes it difficult for the supporters to decide,” said Vono.
DeMbare cheerleader Chris “Romario” Musekiwa also pleaded with the City of Harare and the club’s sponsors, Sakunda Holdings, who agreed on a lease agreement earlier this year, to expedite renovations at Rufaro.
“We are happy that Sakunda have made a commitment to renovate Rufaro and as Dynamos fans we look forward to enjoying the game again at that venue,” said Musekiwa.
“The stadium holds a lot of history and that makes it the ideal home for Dynamos. The environment, where supporters are closer to the players, has always made a great atmosphere.
“There is chemistry between the players and the fans that cannot be established, let’s say, when playing at the National Sports Stadium.
“So, we enjoy football more at Rufaro. It’s a ground that is easily accessible for many, unlike the National Sports Stadium which is far-flung.
“Supporters from most of the suburbs around Harare do not like the idea of hiking twice to a football match. It’s costly and it’s also inconvenient.
“So we would want Rufaro back as early as next season.”
However, the ZIFA First Instance Body, which is responsible for grounds inspection and Club Licensing, have painted a disturbing picture about Rufaro.
The ground is yet to get a facelift more than seven months after it was announced Sakunda Holdings had reached an agreement with City of Harare to renovate the stadium.
ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela yesterday said the stadium, in its current state, is a huge threat to the lives of the spectators.
“Rufaro Stadium is in a derelict state. “It has no capacity to host topflight football matches. Most of the infrastructure is obsolete.
“The gates and other metal structures are seriously corroded and this endangers the lives of the spectators,” said Gwesela.
“So, the ground really needs to be upgraded into a standard facility.
“The general infrastructure needs attention, with repairs on worn-out structures and installation of individual bucket seats.
“Media facilities have to be revamped, the medical facility has to be renovated to meet international standards, the parking area has to be modernised, the stadium has to be equipped with proper doping room, the changing rooms are small and dirty.
“Without these renovations at Rufaro, the stadium cannot be allowed to host Premiership matches.”