Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe has temporarily closed to facilitate a pre-inspection exercise in line with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Stadium Regulations.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) said in a statement yesterday that the exercise is aimed at assessing the facility and identifying areas that require attention before submission of an official inspection request to CAF in readiness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers which will kick off in September this year.
The stadium is among the 17 listed by CAF to undergo pre-inspection before they can be fully approved to host the continental qualifiers.
But FAM and the facility’s owners, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, have said they are optimistic that the facility will get the greenlight.
In an interview, FAM competitions and licensing manager Clement Kafwafwa said: “We are 85 percent confident that it will be approved as the only area that requires urgent attention is the pitch, particularly working on the bare patches.”
The ministry’s spokesperson MacMillan Mwale said that in essence, they have already started working on some areas.
“We are just urging the general public to guard against theft and vandalism at the facility which could affect it’s condition,” he said.
FDH Bank Premiership side Masters FC, who use the stadium as their home ground, have said they will be hosting matches at Civo Stadium, a distance of about eight kilometres away.
In an interview yesterday, the club’s chief executive officer Kevin Moyo said: “Our second option is Civo Stadium and that is where we will be playing starting with Kamuzu Barracks this weekend.”
FAM has also announced the temporary closure ofJoyce Chitsulo Stadium in Mwanza as the facility is currently being used to accommodate Malawian nationals returning from South Africa.
“The venue will, therefore, not be available for football activities during this period,” reads the statement.
FAM has also said Champions Stadium in Mponela, Dowa remains closed following extensive damage caused by heavy rains and strong winds recently experienced in the area.
The damage affected key infrastructure, including sections of the stadium roofs and other essential facilities.
FAM has said the stadium will remain closed pending rehabilitation works and a subsequent safety inspection.
FAM will continue to update stakeholders on any further developments regarding the availability of the affected facilities.
