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Thupeyo Muleya in Beitbridge
PREMIERSHIP action beckons for Dulibadzimu Stadium after the Premier Soccer League’s governor in charge of technical and development issues, Ryan Armstrong, commended the Beitbridge Town Council for its speedy upgrade of the venue. Dulibadzimu Stadium is the home ground of PSL debutants Border Strikers, and was condemned as unfit to host topflight matches during the off-season.

In an interview following inspection of the stadium by a team also consisting of Elisha Mandireva, PSL competitions manager, and Wilfred Mukuna representing the Zimbabwe Referees Committee, Armstrong said the stadium had greatly improved in comparison to its initial state during the first inspection.

“I’m impressed by the work in progress, although the final decision on whether the stadium is fit to host PSL matches will be made when we compile our report on Monday (today),” said Armstrong, who is also chairman of Chapungu FC.

“A lot of progress has been made on several areas identified for improvements by a team which came here in December. We would love to see the game of football spreading across the country,” he said.

The stadium did not meet the sitting capacity requirement of 5,000 spectators and had no VIP section to accommodate up to 50 people. It also didn’t have an anti-doping room; dressing rooms; a public address system; a well equipped first aid room and Internet facilities, among other requirements.

Beitbridge town council engineer Douglas Siphuma said they will continue working on the stadium according to PSL recommendations.

“We’ve done a lot of civil works and are hoping for the best that the stadium plays host to PSL matches soon,” Siphuma said.

The council has started working towards increasing terraces at Dulibadzimu Stadium and so far the VIP section that will house over 120 people, including the media, the anti-doping room and the perimeter fence have been completed. More terraces with a sitting capacity of 3,000 people are almost complete.

At the moment, Border Strikers are playing their home matches 300km away at Maglas Stadium in Zvishavane.

Ironically, Maglas Stadium does not have running water or Internet facilities. It also has a banned dangerously high perimeter fence around the pitch and the toilets have no recommended hand basins and aluminium urinals, while the pitch is semi-dry due to obtaining water problems.

Border Strikers are reportedly making financial losses due to trips to Zvishavane and elsewhere for their home and away matches. They realise less than $100 in gate takings.