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Barbourfields Stadium

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
BARBOURFIELDS Stadium might be closed for minor renovations for next month’s Cosafa Women’s Championship, a move likely to derail the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League programme.

Luveve Stadium has already been shut down for renovations ahead of the championship.  Depending on how long the renovations take, Bulawayo’s five PSL teams might find themselves “literally homeless” just as in the run-up to the 2014 African Union Sports Council Region Five Under-20 Youth Games.

“It hasn’t been finalised (closure) as yet,” said the Bulawayo City Council.

The temporary closure of the two major venues will leave White City Stadium as the only available venue for lower league and Premiership matches.

While the Cosafa delegation led by secretary-general Sue Destombes condemned White City Stadium outright, the Zifa grounds inspection committee approved the facility.

Highlanders, How Mine, Bantu Rovers, Chicken Inn and Bulawayo City might all be forced to use White City Stadium for the duration of the Cosafa Women’s Championship.

In the run-up to the 2015 AUSC Region Five Games, Highlanders negotiated with rugby authorities to use Hartsfield Grounds.

Twelve countries have confirmed participation in the Cosafa Women’s Championship set to run from September 13-24.

Bulawayo City have a fixture against Harare City at Barbourfields Stadium on Saturday in the only topflight match pencilled for Bulawayo after the postponement of How Mine and Dynamos clash, as well as Bosso’s duel with Tsholotsho.

@skhumoyo2000