Zimbabwe’s football infrastructure, particularly its pitches, has long been a major concern. The poor state of playing surfaces across the country is a result of several key issues, including the lack of technical expertise in pitch management, poor drainage systems exacerbated by heavy rainfall, and a chronic lack of investment in football infrastructure.  

• Zimbabwe lacks trained and certified groundskeepers with expertise in pitch maintenance.  
• Many stadiums and community grounds do not have proper agronomists or turf specialists to manage grass growth, soil composition, and irrigation.  
• Grounds maintenance is often left to untrained workers, leading to uneven surfaces, hard pitches, and poor grass coverage.  
• There is limited knowledge of modern turf management techniques such as aeration, fertilization, and proper mowing.  

•  Zimbabwe has experienced heavy rains this season, exposing the poor drainage systems in most football pitches.  
• Many stadiums lack proper subsurface drainage, causing waterlogging, muddy surfaces, and unplayable conditions.  
• Inadequate slope designs and compacted soil prevent water from draining properly, leading to stagnant pools of water.  
• Clubs and local authorities do not have access to pitch covers or effective water management systems.  

• Infrastructure investment in Zimbabwean football has been minimal over the years, with most stadiums and community pitches suffering from neglect.  
• Most clubs do not own their stadiums and rely on municipal grounds, which are poorly maintained due to budget constraints.  
• The government and local authorities prioritize other projects over sports infrastructure, leading to dilapidated stadiums.  
• The lack of sponsorships and partnerships for pitch development means no financial resources are allocated for regular maintenance or upgrades.

• Establish partnerships with international grounds management organizations for training local groundskeepers.  
• Introduce certification courses in sports turf management at universities and technical colleges.  
• Hire qualified agronomists and grounds managers for major stadiums.  

• Install proper pitch drainage systems, including perforated pipes and sand-based sublayers.  
• Redesign stadiums with proper gradients to allow water runoff.  
• Use pitch covers during heavy rains to prevent excessive water absorption. 

• Create a national football infrastructure fund, supported by government, FIFA, CAF, and private sponsors.  
• Encourage clubs to develop their own stadiums or enter into long-term agreements for better maintenance of existing ones.  
• Introduce corporate incentives for businesses that invest in football infrastructure.  

• Establish a yearly pitch assessment program to monitor the condition of all major stadiums.  
• Allocate budgets for regular maintenance, including aeration, reseeding, and drainage improvements.  
• Involve local communities in pitch maintenance through grassroots programs.  

• Collaborate with leagues such as the English Premier League, La Liga, or South African PSL to gain technical knowledge on pitch maintenance.  
• Send local groundskeepers for exchange programs in countries with well-maintained pitches.  
• Utilize FIFA’s infrastructure development programs for funding and expertise.  

Addressing the poor state of Zimbabwe’s football pitches requires a holistic approach involving technical capacity building, investment in drainage infrastructure, and sustainable funding mechanisms. With proper planning and investment, Zimbabwe can transform its football infrastructure, enhance player performance, and regain its place in international football.