Khama Billiat’s former boss in audacious stadia bid in Zimbabwe
As Zimbabwe grapples with the lack of CAF-approved stadiums, Khama Billiat’s former boss has embarked on an audacious bid to arrest the crisis.
Zimbabwe has been operating without a single stadium that meets CAF’s minimum requirements to host international matches.
In 2020, CAF found Zimbabwe’s main stadium, The National Sports Stadium in Harare, inadequate. And the ban extended to the rest of the country’s venues. In addition, ZIFA had hoped to use Barbourfields Stadium in Bulawayo, the country’s second-largest city.
This has forced all The Warriors’ matches to be hosted outside the country. Their latest home match against Namibia in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers was hosted at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
As the newly-elected ZIFA president Nqobile Magwizi leads efforts to face-lift The National Sports Stadium, Khama Billiat’s former boss and popular cleric Walter Magaya is on an audacious bid to build new stadiums across the country.
WHAT KHAMA BILLIAT’S FORMER BOSS IS DOING
Magaya, along with his business partner Shepherd Chahwanda, are constructing The Chahwanda stadium in the city of Kwekwe, 215 kilometres outside of the capital city, Harare.
The Yadah FC owner has also targeted two stadiums, including Rimuka Stadium in Cuthbert Malajila’s hometown. In an interview with FARPost, the football enthusiast Magaya outlined his motivation.
“All our actions are to support what we preach. We have a church that is also spread across the country, so everything is to practice what we preach and help our country,” Magaya told FARPost.
“Right now, we are working at Chahwanda Stadium. But we are starting to follow procedures to work on Rimuka Stadium [in Cuthbert Malajila’s home].
“We will also do our best to keep uplifting the standards in Zimbabwe. Most importantly, we are trying to practice what we preach to help our beloved country.”
In addition, Magaya already owns The Heart Stadium. The venue is located in Harare and is home to Yadah FC, which competes in Zimbabwe’s PSL.
RELATED STORY: Kaizer Chiefs break new ground with ‘bold new venture’