Dynamos Football Club of Zimbabwe, who are ZESCO United’s opponents in the CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round, have been forced to find another venue because the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg is unavailable.
CAF’s stadium ban prevents the club from hosting international matches in Zimbabwe. They announced last week that they plan to host their CAF Confederation Cup match against Zesco at the Orlando Stadium, with other options including Heroes Stadium and Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Zambia.
The club also mentioned the possibility of playing in either Mozambique or Botswana.
However, authorities in South Africa informed the Glamour Boys that Orlando Stadium was not available.
Dynamos Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Mashingaidze stated that the stadium’s unavailability is due to the South African Premiership season beginning almost simultaneously with the Confederation Cup season.
Mashingaidze stated that the availability of stadiums in that country was not guaranteed, and Dynamos is now considering moving their games to Botswana.
“We tried and failed to secure Orlando Stadium in South Africa because the upcoming new season’s fixtures in South Africa are yet to be finalised,” Mashingaidze said. “So, they couldn’t grant us any stadiums because the start of their new season is scheduled for around the same time as our CAF Confederation Cup match.”
Mashingaidze has revealed that the club has managed to secure a venue in Botswana, which will be announced upon completion of paperwork with authorities.
“That’s why we ended up running around to secure a venue in Botswana. We are happy that we managed to do just that, and we are calling upon Zimbabweans in Botswana to rally behind the team.”
He added, “There is paperwork to be completed between us and the Botswana National Sport Commission.”
Dynamos will begin their Confederation Cup campaign against ZESCO United on August 17.
