Rufaro Stadium Renovations Crumble Less Than a Year After Reopening

The recent renovations at Rufaro Stadium by the Harare City Council have proven to be largely cosmetic, with the facility already showing signs of deterioration less than a year after its grand reopening.

Initially celebrated as a top-tier venue by Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume—who even likened its pitch to Spain’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium—the stadium has struggled to live up to expectations.

With the 2025 Castle Lager Premier Soccer League now underway, Rufaro Stadium has hosted four matches in just over a week. However, the playing surface has quickly deteriorated, becoming waterlogged during rains and developing thick mud patches, contradicting earlier claims that a proper drainage system had been installed.

During a recent council meeting, Mafume emphasized the city’s commitment to improving sporting infrastructure, highlighting plans to upgrade Rufaro, Gwanzura, and other stadiums. He also expressed hopes of bringing international football back to Harare.

Despite these ambitions, Rufaro Stadium remains inadequate for hosting high-profile matches. Dynamos, CAPS United, ZPC Kariba, and Herentals are currently using the facility while renovations at the National Sports Stadium continue. However, concerns persist over whether the stadium can handle the demands of a full season.

The installation of bucket seats through a deal with Okima Plastics, led by Henrietta Rushwaya, has also been criticized as a minor improvement that does little to address the venue’s deeper structural issues.

Zimbabwe continues to struggle with a shortage of quality football facilities, forcing teams to play home matches outside the country. With authorities showing little urgency in resolving the crisis, the future of local football remains uncertain.

ALSO READ : War Veterans Benefit Housing, Borehole As Empowerment Drive Intensifies