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African nation's chief 'embarrassed' about game at Orlando Stadium

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Orlando Stadium will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Zimbabwe and Lesotho in June.
Orlando Stadium will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Zimbabwe and Lesotho in June.

A high-ranking official for an African nation has remarked that it is "embarrassing" that his country have to play their games away from home soil, with their next match to be held at Orlando Stadium.

Kembo Mohadi, second vice-president of Zimbabwe, has expressed his disappointment at the fact his country will not host any CAF and FIFA matches on home soil due to all its stadiums not meeting those organisations' requirements.

The Warriors will play their next "home" game at Orlando Stadium on 7 June, when they will take on Lesotho in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, and Mohadi is not happy with the situation as things stand. 

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"Failing to host international games is an egg on our faces. It is embarrassing to learn that we are not allowed to host matches on home soil because all our stadiums don't meet the FIFA and CAF requirements," Mohadi said, according to Nehanda Radio.

"We assist the City of Harare to spruce up Rufaro (Stadium) to a state-of-the-art sporting facility.

"It embarrassing to learn that we are not being allowed to host international matches because we don't have stadiums that have bucket seats.

"But as government, we have taken it upon ourselves that we need to correct this. We will lend a shoulder to the City of Harare, support you to make Rufaro a world-class venue, it's not for Harare but for the entire nation of Zimbabwe.

"When we hosted the All-Africa Games in 1995, two wings of this (Rufaro Stadium) sporting facility were built in a short space of time. Why would it be difficult for us now?

"Hosting international tournaments on home soil is a joy to us. There is not much that needs to be done (at Rufaro Stadium); with the scope of work that I witnessed here, we can spruce up this facility, it's not much stuff that needs to be done, most of the work is done."

Zimbabwe are in the process of hiring a new head coach ahead of next month's qualifiers, with former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs manager Kostadin Papic having applied for the role, alongside Jose Mourinho's assistant Baltemar Brito. 

The Warriors will also face Bafana Bafana on 11 June in Bloemfontein.

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