Zimbabwe to play international match against Algeria in Soweto

Zimbabwe will host its international match against Algeria at the 40,000-seater Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, neighbouring South Africa, state media reported.

The decision by the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) to use South Africa as the home ground comes after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) banned the country from hosting international matches due to its dilapidated stadiums.

The Herald reported that despite sealing the deal with the South African Football Association to have the home match played in Johannesburg, back home ZIFA continued to sell the nation a dummy that it was still battling to have the match played in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe’s national soccer team, the Warriors, are set to play Algeria’s Desert Foxes in a 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifier.

Zimbabwe government officials and the council in the second city of Bulawayo have been working around the clock to refurbish the Barbourfields Stadium in a bid to convince CAF to reverse its decision and give the green light for the high stakes match to be played at home.

CAF has banned all Zimbabwean venues from hosting international matches including its National Sports Stadium in Harare.

In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo