Fifa has certified Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe ready to host Zambia’s 2010 World Cup qualifying matches.
FIfa general secretary Jerome Valcke confirmed in an official statement to Faz.
However, Valcke said that although authorization to host the games at Konkola had been granted, rehabilitation works should be completed by the end of November, 2008.
“We refer to our exchange of correspondence of March 2008 with respect to the final inspection of the Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe and to the inspection visit that was conducted earlier this month (On May 2),” Valcke said.
“We are pleased to inform that on the basis of the report which was submitted by our inspector, we authorize the preliminary competition matches for the 2010 World Cup South Africa to take place at the aforementioned facility.
“We take this opportunity to sincerely thank you for the efforts and works made so far and we at the same time appeal for the completion of the stadium works in Chililabombwe.”
The development means Zambia will host, as scheduled, its first home World/Africa Cup Group 11 qualifier against Swaziland on June 20.
Konkola was shut 11 months ago after 12 fans died in a stampede while exiting the stadium at the end of Zambia’s 3-0 win over Congo-Brazzaville in an Africa Cup qualifier Group 11 match played on June 2.
Yaa good, nomba kwashala independence stadium MUDALA!!!
THIS REPORTING BY LT IS SH!T. HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT- I MEAN THE STATE OF KONKOLA STADIUM WITHOUT AN IMAGE?
Yaba! this is indeed good news though it’s a wake up call for Govt to do something about our stadiums .We not very safe.
Government should quickly move in ensure that rehab of Independence stadium starts before the begining of the rain season.
GRZ and FAZ should not be complancent. This does not imply that work at the stadium should stop. It is time to be proactive to avoid these embarrasing FIFA inspections. What is the progress on the new stadia?? Otherwise it is a sigh of relief for FIFA to allow us play at home. It is time to learn and change.
Good news but pliz do more in the aspects of sports in general ,we would much love to cheer up our own sports men and women, would’nt that be good honestly?
Why not just build a new ultra modern stadium? whats the progress in Ndola with Chinese dollars project?
insala poverty
# 7 tensala poverty, bu pumbu not to construct good stadia 44 years after independence when football is deemed your No. 1 sport.
Look at finishing the construction work been done at the stadia.
History of football in Africa tells that Zambi should´t be going difficult times conerning stadia issues.If new ones can´t be built,then work on the old ones.These are serious issues that should be looked at,2010mismjust around the corner.
Positive development. Better than playing home fixtures in botswana 😉 I understand the Ndola stadium site has been moved to the Kitwe-Ndola road.
I remember the good old days when even Nchanga Stadium was a good place to watch football. We need at least 3 international standard stadiums in Zambia. They should be able to cater for all other sports and activities as well. Our friends abroad have stadiums that are used for football, rugby, etc ….why cant we??? Even conference facilities are included. It makes the stadiums useful throughout the year and generates the much needed cash to keep them afloat. Come on Zed lets build some good stadiums.
Beautiful!
Good that we will really be at home during the scheduled international games.
However, Konkola Stadium is too small for the growing population of soccer lovers. We should just embark on building new stadia whilst we seriously address whatever issues are at Independence Stadium. I assure you, with Konkola Stadium given the goal ahead, nothing will happen on Independence Stadium or indeed new stadia!! We will only wake up again when the same situation arises. What we need is to have someone accountable just to sports infrustructure development.
Sad!! With so many intellectuals now, we still depend on infrustructure built by the few who were there during the KK era.
What we need is for people to continue speaking out. This is to prevent the govt. to go to sleep over these pertinent issues of stadia development in the country. I even wonder how the state of the pitch at Konkola is. Can somebody enmlighten on this. The state of the pitch is vital as it motivates the players to play good football.
But akamusebo to Chililabombwe kena chibote mweee!
We need a proper and international stadium!workl out some nice plan!
Thanx for the favour by FIFA,next time we won’t repeat it to stay without a stadium with gud facilities.
Ku Zed tuli ba pa kanwa, Mwanawasa ubufi, nga Stadium ku Ndola when will it be done, ne soni takwata ka..puli
nangu ch..puli
SHAME, not good news.
I am so fed up reading some postings in local languages that I cannot understand like Bemba or Tonga. Can’t you guys write in plain, clear English so that all can read what your thoughts are on issues? I also notice that there is alot of gangster language being used. What is going on in Zambia? You people have no decency or what?
I don’t mind using common expression in whatever language. I mean things like badala, shani, achimwene are ok. Not deep Tonga, Lozi, Nyanja, Bemba. 21 I support you.