Story by Lawrence Trusida, Sports Editor
LOG leaders CAPS United are set to make an emotional return to the National Sports Stadium for the first time since 2023 when they host defending champions Scottland in a Castle Lager Premier Soccer League clash this Sunday.
The return to the refurbished facility has injected renewed optimism among the Green Machine faithful, with the club describing the development as a major boost for both CAPS United and local football.
For Makepekepe supporters, the National Sports Stadium remains more than just a venue. It is regarded as the club’s spiritual home, synonymous with memorable victories, fierce rivalries and past league triumphs.
CAPS United last won the league title in 2016 while using the National Sports Stadium as their home ground.
The giant facility has not hosted Premier Soccer League matches since 2023, but following extensive refurbishment works, authorities have cleared it to stage top-flight football once again.
Sunday’s high-profile encounter against Scottland will mark CAPS United’s first competitive match at the renovated stadium.
CAPS United president, Honourable Farai Jere welcomed the return, saying it could inspire the club’s title ambitions.
“We are excited about the return. This is our home and now we are back. It is a sign that things are coming together this year, that this is our year, because ku gomba dzinochekwa,” he said.
Popularly known as Mugomba, the National Sports Stadium now has a seating capacity of 44 000 following the installation of bucket seats, a development expected to improve the match-day experience for supporters.
Honourable Jere, who also chairs the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, praised the Government for rehabilitating the facility and said its reopening comes at a crucial time for domestic football.
“If you look at the Harare Derby, more than 25 000 paying fans attended while over 5 000 were turned away. Now we have this stadium back which can host all the big games and allow our fans to come and watch football comfortably. This is really great. I must commend Government for making sure that they brought this facility back in great shape,” he said.
The blockbuster fixture between CAPS United and Scottland is also expected to serve as a test event to assess the stadium’s readiness to host major matches going forward.
