Mozambique’s national stadium banned from hosting international matches again

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Mozambique’s national stadium banned from hosting international matches again

9:02 CAT | 05 Mar 2025

File photo: O País

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has once again banned the Zimpeto National Stadium in Maputo, the only stadium in the country for official international matches, because the pitch does not meet the “required standards”, the Mozambican Football Federation (FMF) announced on Tuesday.

In a press release, the FMF indicates that the CAF made the decision after carrying out two inspections on 17 and 28 February, in which several anomalies were identified that prevent official international competitions from being held at the stadium.

“The main problems include the condition of the floor and grass, in addition to other anomalies that do not meet the required standards”, reads the FMF press release.

According to the document, the Mozambique national football team will play its next matches outside the country, starting with the World Cup qualifying match against Uganda, scheduled for March 20. The body that manages Mozambican football has until March 7 to indicate to CAF the “alternative stadium that meets all the necessary requirements for holding the match”.

The ban on the only stadium that can be used for international matches follows another on December 15, also for not meeting the “required standards”. Previously, the Zimpeto stadium had been banned in 2023, forcing the ‘mambas’ team to play in neighboring South Africa.

The president of the FMF acknowledged on January 8 that the pitch at the Zimpeto National Stadium “is in poor condition” and asked the government to allocate funds for the maintenance of the infrastructure.

Source: Lusa