CAF approves Mozambique’s Zimpeto Stadium with pre-conditions

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has given a temporary greenlight for the Mozambican Football Federation (FMF) to host international matches at Zimpeto Stadium.

However, there are pre-conditions attached to the authorization for the federation to organize matches, including the Mambas’ forthcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for September and October 2025.

According to FMF, CAF communicated the approval via a letter dated August 3 2025 following earlier inspections held two days earlier on the facility.

The CAF inspectors reportedly took into consideration FMF and the Mozambican authorities’ efforts “to improve the stadium’s infrastructure, bringing it closer to the standards required by CAF and FIFA.”

Despite the approval, CAF gave strict pre-conditions for the usage of Zimpeto that “games must be played exclusively during the day and the facility’s maximum capacity is limited to 15,000 spectators.”

The pre-conditions ensure that games take place in ”a safe and suitable environment for players, coaching staff, referees, and fans.”

FMF has since welcomed CAF’s nod and reaffirmed its willingness to “ensuring that the country can host international matches at the highest level.”

The availability of the stadium should be a relief to the FMF ahead of the Mambas’ home World Cup qualifiers against Botswana on September 8, 2025 and Guinea in October.

Mozambican national football teams and clubs such as Black Bulls FC have been hosting matches in foreign, including in South Africa and Egypt during the suspension of Zimpeto.