Blantyre-based football giants FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Wanderers have said the barring of Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre from hosting matches will bloat their budgets.
The two teams use the ailing facility as their home ground.
This follows Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Licensing First Instance Body’s decision to bar the facility from hosting elite competitions in the forthcoming 2026/27 season due to non-compliance with the required standards.
The two teams say the development means hosting some of their matches outside their Blantyre base, translating to additional costs on travel.
They also say their gate revenue share could drop as some alternative venues have a smaller capacity compared to Kamuzu Stadium.
In an interview, Bullets acting chief executive officer Albert Chigoga said: “If the stadium will not be approved anytime soon, then obviously costs will spike.
“Our alternative venue is Joyce Chitsulo Stadium [in Mwanza] and we also chose Bingu National stadium [in Lilongwe] as our third alternative venue and the prospective trips translate to more expenses.
| Courtesy of Bullets
“But football being an organised sport, such things cannot be avoided because a stadium must undergo routine inspections to be approved for elite football.”
On his part, Wanderers director of football development David Kanyenda said: “Obviously travelling and playing away from Kamuzu Stadium automatically escalates our costs.”
On where they might host the FDH Premiership Blantyre derby against Bullets on May 9 in the event that Kamuzu Stadium will not be ready by then, he said: “We are reviewing the matter and we shall revert in due course.”
Meanwhile, Mzuzu-based Malawi Defence Force side Moyale Barracks have hinted at hosting their matches at Rumphi Stadium, about 60 kilometres away following the barring of their home ground Mzuzu Stadium.
Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe, which is the home ground for Blue Eagles, has also been barred.
Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, owners of Kamuzu Stadium, have said they are commited to addressing the shortfalls.
The ministry’s spokesperson Macmillan Mwale said: “The major challenges facing the stadium are theft and vandalism. Some facilities also need replacement as the stadium is old.”
The FAM First Instance Body has approved 14 stadiums across the country.
