The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has partly lifted the closed-doors order at Harare’s National Sports Stadium, allowing up to 10,000 spectators at two upcoming matches, according to the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA).

In a statement reported by NewZimbabwe.com, ZimLive and Soccer24, ZIFA said CAF had given “exceptional, strictly conditional authorisation” for a maximum of 10,000 fans per match. The two fixtures are the Mighty Warriors’ Women’s Olympic qualifier against Malawi on 13 October and Scottland FC’s CAF Champions League tie against Atlético Petróleos de Luanda, provisionally set for 17 October.

The restrictions were imposed after a supporter died and fans invaded the pitch following the Warriors’ 2-1 home loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo last month. Zimbabwe was ordered to play its next home internationals behind closed doors while safety arrangements were reviewed.

ZIFA says gates will open five hours before kick-off for security screening, orderly entry and seating, and that spectators will be confined to designated areas. Ticketing, entry and parking details are to be announced separately. ZIFA said it has a zero-tolerance approach to hooliganism, violence, intimidation, vandalism and forced entry, and that offenders may be refused entry, removed from the ground or banned from future matches.

ZimLive and Soccer24 report that CAF will monitor compliance with its conditions, and that failure to meet them could bring further restrictions. ZIFA has said CAF’s assessment of these two matches will inform future decisions on how many fans are admitted.

ZIFA also extended its condolences to the family of the supporter who died. The Champions League date for Scottland FC remains provisional, and the 10,000 limit has so far been confirmed only for these two fixtures.

Sources: ZIFA statement as reported by NewZimbabwe.com, ZimLive and Soccer24.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ordered matches in Zimbabwe to be played without spectators after a supporter died during the Warriors’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the National Sports Stadium in Harare.

Information minister Zhemu Soda told reporters after Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting that CAF had “temporarily suspended” spectator access to matches hosted in Zimbabwe. According to ZimLive’s account of the briefing, CAF described the step as a precautionary administrative measure pending a review and verification of safety and security protocols, and said all CAF matches in the country would be held behind closed doors until further notice. CAF also extended condolences to the family of the deceased and to the nation.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed that one person died during a stampede at gate number two at the start of the match. In a statement quoted by South Africa’s Soccer Laduma, police described a “fatal incident involving a police public order vehicle and a pedestrian” and said investigations were under way. The police have not, in the statements reported, named the victim.

Reports differ on how far the sanction goes. ZimLive, citing the Cabinet briefing, reports that the closed-door order covers all CAF matches in Zimbabwe for the duration of the suspension. Soccer Laduma, relying on a Soccer24 report, says CAF has also ordered a heavy fine and that the Warriors’ next home qualifier, likely against Equatorial Guinea, will be played without fans. Earlier reports before the announcement, including one from AfricaSoccer, had suggested Zimbabwe might lose the right to host home matches altogether. The Cabinet account does not mention that outcome, and the length of the suspension has not been stated.

The incident is a blow for Zimbabwean football. The National Sports Stadium only recently returned to hosting international fixtures after years in which the national team was forced to stage its home games in neighbouring countries. CAF granted the venue Category 3 approval in August.

The Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) is expected to face scrutiny over crowd management and stadium security. It is not yet clear when CAF will complete its review or what conditions it will set before fans can return.

Sources: ZimLive, Soccer Laduma (citing New Zimbabwe and Soccer24), AfricaSoccer, Zimbabwe Republic Police and Cabinet statements as reported.

Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani has been appointed deputy chairperson of the International Cricket Council, becoming the first Zimbabwean to hold the position.

The ICC announced the appointment on Thursday, saying Mukuhlani would serve through November 2027. He takes over from Imran Khwaja, who is leaving the role.

Mukuhlani has chaired Zimbabwe Cricket since 2015 and represents the country on the ICC Board. He sits on the ICC’s Finance and Commercial Affairs and Nominations Committees, and chairs its Human Resources and Remuneration Committee.

The appointment lands at a significant moment for the Zimbabwean game. The country is due to co-host the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2027 alongside South Africa and Namibia, bringing the tournament back to Africa for the first time in 24 years.

ICC chairman Jay Shah said Mukuhlani’s “experience in cricket administration, understanding of the global game and commitment to its development will be invaluable to the ICC Board”, adding that he had “earned the confidence of his fellow Directors”.

Shah described the appointment as “a significant milestone for Zimbabwe”.

Mukuhlani said he was “deeply honoured by the confidence placed in me by my fellow ICC Board Directors” and pointed to a period of expansion for the sport.

“Cricket is entering an exciting period, particularly with its return to the Olympic Games and continued global expansion,” he said.

NewsDay reported that Mukuhlani also chairs the Africa Cricket Association.

The appointment places a Zimbabwean at the second-highest level of world cricket’s governing body at a time when the country is preparing to stage matches at the sport’s flagship 50-over tournament, and when African cricket is pushing for a larger share of the global game.

Sources: International Cricket Council, NewsDay Zimbabwe, NewZimbabwe.com, The Tribune.