The return of Bulawayo Chiefs to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) could see the country’s top football action at The Chiefs Village, formerly Amazulu Sports Club, in the City of Kings and Queens next year.
Chiefs won the Zifa Southern Region Soccer League at the weekend when they edged Bosso 90 2-1 at the Chiefs Village, and there were wild celebrations at the facility after the match.
The club’s chief executive officer Thulani “Javas” Sibanda said The Chiefs Village, which is still under renovation for a major facelift, remains an option for the Ninjas to play their home games next year.
“For now, we are keeping our options open,” Sibanda said.
“Anything is possible.
“If you’ve been following what I said a few days back, we have been down here watching and learning.
“We have realised and seen stadiums being spruced up in days, in weeks, or in months.
“So we learned to say, okay, so it’s possible. It can happen.”
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He added: “I think the only deadline that matters will be the start of the Premier League season.
“For example, if you dream of playing the Premier League season at the Village, you just have to know when you are expected to finish the whole thing.
“You go to Gwanda. Some three months ago, there was no stadium, and then two or three months down the line, there’s a full, proper stadium.”
This was in apparent reference to the recently constructed Ngoma Community Stadium in the rural Gwanda South area of Ngoma, near Tshanyaugwe, in Matabeleland South.
The facility was officially opened in August.
Sibanda said there was still work to be done at The Chiefs Village, with expert consultation underway.
“I think it’s too early to point out exactly what’s needed, but in general, when you want to build a stadium, you know that you have to do a lot of tearing down, a lot of renovations,” he said.
“But all those things are guided by people that are knowledgeable in that area.
“That is why you have to then consult with people that know what they are doing and what needs to be done.
“But generally, looking at it, you see there is lots of work that needs to be done...
“We are just trying to focus on making sure that we are coming back to the Premier League as a well-prepared squad so that we don›t come back just to go down to Division One.”
The Chiefs Village will have to pass the Zifa First Instance Body test before it is approved to host PSL games.
Chiefs acquired a five-year lease from the Bulawayo City Council to use the village.
If Hardrock wins the Zifa Central Region Soccer League title, they will use the newly constructed Chahwanda Stadium in Kwekwe for the Castle Lager Premier Soccer League, while Hunters FC, winners of the Zifa Eastern Region Soccer League, are also hopeful to use Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera for their home matches.
Plans are afoot to upgrade the stadium in collaboration with Marondera Municipality as the excitement of the first team from the town to play in the PSL engulfs the town.
