The Warriors lost 2-1 to the Democratic Republic of Congo on 28 September in their first home international at the National Sports Stadium since 2021. But the match will be remembered less for the football than for what happened around it.
Around kick-off, a stampede erupted at Gate 2, killing one fan, according to a Zimbabwe Republic Police statement. Police said the incident, at around 6:30pm shortly after kick-off, involved a police public order vehicle and a pedestrian, and that investigations were under way. The tragedy cast a shadow over what should have been a celebratory return to international football at home.
After the final whistle, supporters stormed the pitch. Videos of the post-match pitch invasion showed fans tampering with sprinklers, according to social media users quoted by iHarare.
The National Sports Stadium had been excluded from hosting international football since 2021 after failing to meet CAF requirements. It took months of upgrades, including improvements to seating, the playing surface, changing rooms and spectator areas, before CAF approved the return of international matches.
The match itself offered moments of hope. When Marshall Munetsi pulled one back late in the game to make it 2-1, the stadium erupted. But the Warriors could not find an equaliser.
The final whistle brought chaos. Fans poured onto the pitch, running across the carefully maintained surface.
The incident highlighted the tensions surrounding Zimbabwe’s return to international football. After years of playing home matches in neighbouring countries, a humiliation that cost the team home advantage and robbed fans of the chance to watch the Warriors at home, supporters were finally back at the National Sports Stadium.
But the stampede death and post-match pitch invasion raised questions about security and fan behaviour. In the HararePost source, Sports Minister Lt-Gen (Rtd) Anselem Sanyatwe expressed thanks to Sakunda Holdings for helping restore the stadium to international standards through its US$12.5 million investment.
The return was supposed to be a celebration. Instead, it ended with one fan dead and questions about whether security could control crowds.
For now, the Warriors are home. But the tragedy and chaos of their first match back suggest that bringing international football back to Zimbabwe involves more than just upgrading stadiums.
