Zimbabwe seeks CAF talks over stadium stampede and closed-door decision

By Velile Mnyandu
8th October 2026

Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) President Nqobile Magwizi has confirmed to SABC Sport that he will be meeting with the CAF President, Patrice Motsepe and the organisation’s Interim General Secretary Samson Adamu to address the issue of banned spectators from their matches.

CAF’s decision followed the death of a football fan during a stampede at the AFCON qualifier between the Zim Warriors and Democratic Republic of Congo at the National Sports Stadium in Harare at the end of September.

Speaking on the sidelines of the CAF Strategy Conference in the Sal Islands, in Cape Verde Magwizi was reacting to CAF’s decision to order Zimbabwe to play their matches behind closed doors.

"As you may be aware that we are in consultation with CAF. I'm here, I've noted a chance to speak to president Motsepe and the GS. I will be speaking with them and of course when we meet tomorrow I will give you a much clearer answer as to where we are,” Magwizi said.

“Yes there was a challenge which took place in our first match, you can understand there was a lot of excitement and our security plan obviously got a bit overwhelmed.

“Those things were corrected in the second match where we played Mauritius. These are the issues that I need to clear with the general secretary of CAF, as well as the president and of course the head of security so that we can align and agree on the next steps that must be taken to strengthen our security plans and processes for Zimbabwe."

The chaotic scenes that marked the return of international football to Zimbabwe, were reported to be involving a police van and came from Gate 2 and there was also a post-match pitch invasion.

CAF is said to have sent a letter to ZIFA informing them that they won’t be allowed to have spectators in their home matches until further notice.

Magwizi says during their U23 match against Mauritius they tried to implement strict measures and are hoping that CAF will be able to listen to their plea.

"And that any adverse matters or issues will not happen again. No fatalities are expected, every life is very important. We must as an association guarantee our fans when they come to watch matches that they are safe and that is the work that we need to work on in collaboration of course with CAF and the government of Zimbabwe,” he added.