Zimbabwe FA chief seeks CAF talks over stadium ban after fatal crush

Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) president Nqobile Magwizi is to meet CAF president Patrice Motsepe and interim general secretary Samson Adamu to discuss the decision to ban spectators from Zimbabwe’s home matches.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) imposed the measure after a fan died in a stampede during the AFCON qualifier between the Zim Warriors and Democratic Republic of Congo at the National Sports Stadium in Harare at the end of September.

Magwizi confirmed the planned talks to SABC Sport while attending the CAF Strategy Conference in the Sal Islands, Cape Verde. He said he expected to provide a clearer update after meeting Motsepe and Adamu.

“As you may be aware that we are in consultation with CAF. I’m here, I’ve noted a chance to speak to president Motsepe and the GS. I will be speaking with them and of course when we meet tomorrow I will give you a much clearer answer as to where we are,” Magwizi said.

CAF is understood to have written to ZIFA to inform the association that spectators would not be allowed at Zimbabwe’s home matches until further notice.

The disorder surrounding Zimbabwe’s return to international football reportedly involved a police van at Gate 2, while a pitch invasion also took place after the match.

Magwizi acknowledged the security problems during the match against Democratic Republic of Congo, but said measures had been strengthened for Zimbabwe’s subsequent U23 fixture against Mauritius.

“Yes there was a challenge which took place in our first match, you can understand there was a lot of excitement and our security plan obviously got a bit overwhelmed,” he said.

“Those things were corrected in the second match where we played Mauritius. These are the issues that I need to clear with the general secretary of CAF, as well as the president and of course the head of security so that we can align and agree on the next steps that must be taken to strengthen our security plans and processes for Zimbabwe.”

ZIFA is now hoping CAF will take account of the changes made during the Mauritius match and reconsider its position.

The association’s president said preventing further incidents and ensuring the safety of supporters would be central to the discussions with CAF and the Zimbabwean government.

“And that any adverse matters or issues will not happen again. No fatalities are expected, every life is very important. We must as an association guarantee our fans when they come to watch matches that they are safe and that is the work that we need to work on in collaboration of course with CAF and the government of Zimbabwe,” he added.