By Mubukwanu Kaingu
Levy Mwanawasa Stadium in Ndola has been given a conditional certification by CAF to host Chipolopolo Zambia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Group E qualifier against Congo-Brazzaville.
The temporal measure comes after an anxious wait as to whether Levy had made the grade following recent remedial works at Chipolopolo’s second home ground.
A source familiar with the development clarified that the clearance is strictly for
Zambia’s opening Group E game against Congo-Brazzaville on November 17.
A very critical aspect needed for Levy Stadium to get ticks in the boxes of the CAF/FIFA inspection form will be for the turf to be completely removed and re-laid.
However, the dynamics at National Heroes Stadium in Lusaka are a whole lot different and it looks like a long-term job for it to make CAF certification.
“CAF has given Zambia conditional certification to use Levy Mwanawasa Stadium for the November 17 World Cup qualifier against Congo Brazzaville,” the source said.
“However, in the long term, more upgrades will be expected to be done for the stadium to be approved.”
The development means a new international standard turf should be ready before Chipolopolo’s next home game next June.
Zambia’s next home game in eight months will be a match-day-four Group E qualifying fixture against Tanzania.
In addition on the domestic front, long-term tenants Zesco United will be stuck across town at the Trade Fair Grounds where they have temporarily migrated to.
Zesco will now not play at Levy again until the 2024/2025 season.
The encouraging news is that Levy should or would be ready in time for the 2024/2025 continental season if that does not happen then Zambia’s representatives would have to find alternative CAF-certified venues outside the country.
