Bingu stadium passes CAF test

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved Bingu National Stadium to host the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier between the Flames and the Pharaohs of Egypt.

The match is scheduled for between March 26 and 28.

A statement from the continental football governing body addressed to all its member associations yesterday said matches will be played only in stadiums approved by CAF.

It reads in part: “As part of the preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 group stage qualifiers match-day three and four that will take place in March 2023, please note that all the matches must be played in stadiums approved by CAF

“Considering that CAF has been carrying out various stadium assessments and inspections across the member associations, please find attached to this circular, a list of pre-approved stadia per participating national association.

“The participating member associations should select their venue from the list and communicate to CAF Professional Department not later than February 7 2023.”

Bingu National Stadium is among the 51 in 23 countries  approved to host the qualifiers of the continental showpiece.

Countries whose stadiums have failed to make the grade are Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, e-Swatini, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome, South Sudan, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda and Football Association of Malawi president Walter Nyamilandu said they were excited with the news.

Said the minister: “Obviously, it’s very good news and we will continue to maintain the facility so that it always up to the expected standards.

“We will not sit down on our laurels, we will continue looking after it because we want to make it the best facility in this part of Africa.

“I thank officials from the ministry for their good work.”

On his part, Nyamilandu said: “We are delighted that Bingu National Stadium has been approved to host the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Egypt in March.

“Going into a tough fixture against the Pharaohs, whom we will play back-to-back in March, we need to leverage home ground advantage to stay in contention for qualification

“This gives an assurance that the fans will have an opportunity to watch Mohammad Salah play against the Flames.”

South Africa-based Flames forward Frank GabadinhoMhango said the news will inspire the Flames.

He said: “This is great news because when you play at home you enjoy the advantage of your 12th player, the fans.

“I still have fond memories of how the fans inspired us to beat Ethiopia last year.”

All the teams in the group are tied on three points, having won one and lost one each.

The Flames beat Ethiopia 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium before going down 1-0 to Guinea in Conakry a few days later.