Former Zimbabwe Warriors captain Benjani Mwaruwari has been left thoroughly impressed and charmed by the ongoing construction of the Chahwanda Stadium – The Heart Main Arena in Kwekwe, labelling the facility as a potential catalyst for infrastructure development in Zimbabwean football.
The state-of-the-art, 15,000-seater stadium, being bankrolled by businessman Shepherd Chahwanda in partnership with cleric Walter Magaya, is nearing completion and is poised to redefine the nation’s football horizon.
Benjani, one of Zimbabwe’s most successful football exports having played for European giants like Manchester City and Portsmouth, toured the facility on Sunday.
He was accompanied by Premier Soccer League (PSL) chairman Isiah Mupfurutsa, former Warriors’ manager Wellington Mpandare, and the project’s visionary, Chahwanda.
“I think this is one of the best Stadiums in Zimbabwe. I am impressed and if we have infrastructure like this other people will follow and before you know it we are rich on stadia,” Benjani stated.
The legendary striker highlighted the dire need for modern facilities, especially considering the national team’s current predicament of being unable to host home games locally.
“I just want to thank Mr Chahwanda for what he is doing here. This is what we have been missing in our football in terms of infrastructure. We all know that we are struggling at the moment we don’t even play our home games at home and it has been challenging for us as a nation. Hopefully the next game the Warriors will be played here if it is approved.”
Benjani was particularly taken by the player facilities, noting the impact of world-class amenities on the athletes. “I have been in many changing rooms in my life and the ones here are amazing and top class. When you are a player and you come into a changing room like this it’s easy to relax and forget about all your problems,” he added.
The ambitious project, which commenced early this year, is now 90% complete. Initially, there was a fervent hope that the stadium could host the recent Chibuku Super Cup final.
However, recommendations and compliance procedures from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have pushed the official commissioning and opening to January 2026.
CAF stadium expert, Muhammad Feizal Sidat, who has visited the venue multiple times, gave a glowing review of the progress, noting that the goal is to meet CAF Category 2 requirements.
The facility is set to be the new home ground for Chahwanda’s club, Hard Rock FC, which has secured promotion into the top flight league after claiming the Central Regional Soccer League championship.
The stadium, located approximately 7 kilometres from the Kwekwe CBD, is unique in that it is designed to be a fully integrated facility. Its most distinctive element, a first in Zimbabwe, is the inclusion of 24 en-suited rooms capable of accommodating a full football team for camping, which will be available to visiting teams at affordable prices.
The facility also features a wide-ranging VIP Lounge, a Presidential suite, a clinic for emergencies, a ZIFA house, and 12 retail shops. PSL chairman Isiah Mupfurutsa echoed Benjani’s sentiments, praising the high standards of work.
“We have toured the Stadium and what we have seen is amazing. The Standards are so high. I think in Zimbabwe this is one of the best stadiums to be built,” Mupfurutsa remarked, expressing anticipation for the venue to host league matches next season.
Chahwanda Stadium is raising the standard of football infrastructure in Zimbabwe, offering a beacon of hope for the future of the nation’s sport.
