By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Football Association has defied a ban by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which interdicted the local football governing body from using facilities at the National Sports Stadium until they are renovated.

The ban last year by CAF for Zimbabwe, from hosting international matches, was granted a reprieve on the condition that grounds used for international matches were upgraded to set standards.

In a statement on this week , ZIFA said CAF had found the National Sports wanting in several areas when it hosted recent Africa Cup of Nations group matches against Algeria and Zambia.

“In their letter of sanction, CAF noted that there are no fixed individual spectator seats in all sectors and the stadium’s general uncleanliness,” ZIFA’s statement said.

“CAF stadium requirements stipulate that seats for spectators must be individual, fixed to the floor, separated from one another, shaped, numbered, made of an unbreakable and non-flammable material, and have a backrest of a minimum height of 30cm when measured from the seat,” ZIFA said in a statement.

“We have notified the Sports and Recreation Commission as the stadium authority, and encouraged them to expedite renovations at the stadium so that we avoid future sanctions or the grim possibility of playing home matches abroad.”

ZIFA was found guilty and was fined US$2000 for the offence.