ZIFA spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reporter
FOOTBALL fans in Bulawayo have once again been deprived of watching top class action at Barbourfields Stadium after Zifa pencilled the 20th edition of the Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations second round first leg encounter between Zimbabwe and Cameroon for the giant National Sports Stadium on May 22.
It has become the norm that all so called big matches for the various representative national teams are played in Harare while those encounters involving “minnows” are mainly played in Bulawayo.
The Under-20s first round encounter against Botswana, which the Jairos Tapera- coached boys lost 0-1, was staged at Barbourfields Stadium.
“The venue of the match is at the discretion of the national association. The match pitting Zimbabwe and Cameroon will therefore be played at the National Sports Stadium,” said Zifa communications manager Xolisani Gwesela.
He refused to comment on whether it was Zifa’s policy to stage all so called high profile matches in Harare as even the senior national team only comes to Bulawayo when pitted against such teams like Lesotho or Mozambique.
As a result of the clear snub, Bulawayo fans have been seen as not supportive enough to the national teams whenever they are playing at Barbourfields Stadium.
In other countries, national teams’ matches are spread across towns to allow football fans who might not have resources and time to go to the capital to also have a feel of their representative side. In the event that the senior national team’s matches are zeroed in the capital, age group teams should at least play their matches in other towns as well.
The last major international match involving a national team to be staged at Barbourfields Stadium was more than 25 years ago when a Peter and the late Adam Ndlovu-led Under-23 national team tore Tunisia to shreds in an All Africa Games qualifier.
Subsequent Zifa executives have taken turns to deny the people of this city and the region an opportunity to watch their national teams, including the Mighty Warriors, in action against major football playing nations on the continent.
Meanwhile, the Under-20 squad will go into camp this weekend to begin preparations for the Cameroon match, Gwesela said.
The match will be handled by Angolan referee Paulo Talaia who will be assisted by fellow countrymen Ricardo Daniel Cachicumi and Ivanildo Meirelles De O Sanche Lopez.
The second leg encounter will be in Yaoundé on June 10.