National Sports

Worms invade Bingu Stadium pitch

Bingu National Stadium’s (BNS) imported grass has suffered a setback following an attack of worms.

Chinese firm Ahnui Foreign Construction Company recommended Cynodon Dectylon species also known as Bermnuda grass for the stadium.

Bingu Stadium pitch has been attacked by worms

Now a section of the pitch has come under heavy attack of the worms, posing a risk to the expensive newly-built stadium’s pitch.

BNS spokesperson Ireen Zilanda-Mkoko confirmed the development yesterday.

“It’s just the nature of the grass. Right now we are spraying chemicals to fight the worms attack,” she said.

Zilanda-Mkoko was confident that the attack would be contained so that the pitch can continue hosting matches.

“It’s not a big problem. Once we have spread the pesticides, the pitch can host matches,” she said.

The venue is set to host Airtel Top 8 quarter-final first leg Lilongwe derby between rivals Silver Strikers and Civil Sporting Club this Saturday.

It is also earmarked for the Under-20 national football team Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Angola on May 12.

The Under-20 team was also expected to play Zambia in an international friendly match this afternoon at the same venue, but the match has been postponed.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) general secretary Alfred Gunda said they are consulting with the stadium owners on the issue.

He said: “For the international friendly against Zambia, it’s not a big deal, but for the Afcon qualifier, CAF match officials inspect the stadium’s pitch and we would not want them to find the pitch in its present condition.

“Anyway, we have a meeting with the stadium owners on how best we can handle the situation because we would like the match to be played there.”

Opened last year in January, the 40 000-seater stadium was built by the Chinese.

The stadium has faced a number of challenges,  including vandalism, poor funding from government for maintenance which led to disconnection of electricity.

Government, through Treasury, has just settled a K35 million bill to have electricity reconnected. n

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