HARARE – The Zimbabwe Warriors will play one of their two 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group J qualifying clashes against Namibia in an empty Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday after Namibian authorities said Monday they do not have funds to meet costs associated with hiring the football facility with paying fans in attendance.
This emerged on Monday ahead of back-to-back clashes between the neighbours this Thursday and on Monday next week.
Just like Zimbabwe, Namibia is banned from hosting international football matches on home soil after the southern African country’s main Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek was deemed unfit to do so by CAF. Both countries have chosen to host their AFCON qualifiers between each other at Orlando Stadium.
Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) spokesperson Mike Madoda said Monday in a post on X the match to be hosted by Namibia is embargoed.
“Please note that the Warriors’ Thursday game vs Namibia will be played behind closed doors at Namibia’s behest. A request has been made for all fans not to make their way to Orlando Stadium,” he said.
Madoda said the return match to be hosted by Zimbabwe shall however be open to all paying fans.
The decision to block fans from coming to the stadium has been construed within Zimbabwean football circles as an attempt by Namibian football to shut out what is expected to be a huge army of the opponent’s fans who are expected to come in support of Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe has a large migrant population in South Africa, something that often sees opponents, other than South Africa, being outnumbered in the terraces.
Ahead of the clash to be hosted by Zimbabwe, ZIFA has pegged gate charges for the match at R50 for a general ticket.
