By Kennedy Gondwe;
I have received inboxed messages and calls asking for my input into reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has declared Heroes Stadium unfit to host international matches.
While this is true, that does not apply to social matches – it only applies to CAF or FIFA sanctioned matches.
That why Zambia’s last Africa Cup qualifier was played at Levy Mwanawasa and the next one will be played there.
The misleading reports are akin to saying the Yo Maps Fill Heroes stadium cannot take place at the stadium because it’s not CAF approved!
Today, if anyone wishes, they can organize a Zambia Legends v COSAFA Legends match and have it played at Nationalist, John Kachofa, Maramba or Edwin Emboela stadia for instance.
The Zambia v Barcelona Legends match is a social match, it’s neither recognized nor sanctioned by FIFA or CAF. That’s why it’s even being played outside the official FIFA calendar.
That’s why league matches are played at all manner of stadia in the country, without CAF’s approval because those are local league matches and those CAF regulations don’t apply!
How have we forgotten how Green Buffaloes would play their matches from the partially demolished old Independence stadium?
How have we forgotten how Herve Renard, when he was coach for Angola, once came to Zambia with the Palancas Negras to practice on the artificial turf at the same venue – did CAF rules apply? At that point, that facility was partially unusable.
Haven’t we seen certain ‘international’ friendlies for the women’s team being played at Nkoloma stadium when the facility at the time did not meet CAF requirements?
Again, the reason is simple – those matches, international as they were, were not CAF sanctioned or approved so such rules did not apply.
As for me, with or without the CAF certification for Heroes Stadium, I will be there to watch the match!
I submit.
DISCLAIMER: If you see any other names in this post and catch wrong feelings – you’re on your own!
Kennedy Gondwe
