FAM condemns Karonga, Mzuzu Stadium pitches
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has said Mzuzu and Karonga stadiums are in pathetic state.
FAM club licensing and compliance manager, Casper Jangale disclosed this on the sidelines of a club licensing workshop for Premier League teams held last week in the Northern Region.
The training targeted four teams in the Northern Region Football League Premier Division, namely Chitipa United, Bolero, Ekwendeni Hammers and Fish Eagles, who have chances of promotion to the Super League.
Commenting on Karonga Stadium and Mzuzu Stadium FAM, Jangale said the condition needs improvement to host high-profile matches.
“The situation at the two football venues is pathetic. At Mzuzu Stadium, the playing field has no grass, which is the same as Karonga Stadium,” he said.
He added: “We have seen a lot of stones near the perimeter of Karonga Stadium pitch. This is a recipe for danger. We will write them [the councils] to explain that their facilities are in bad shape.”
However, Mzuzu City Council (MCC) public relations officer McDonald Gondwe, described FAM’s demands as unjustified.
“Let them write and we will respond accordingly. Otherwise, we have been watering the pitch to ensure that it is in good condition to host games,” he said.
On the other hand, Karonga District Council spokesperson, Isaac Mkandawire said they will address the shortfalls before next Super League season kicks off.
“It is true that the FAM official [Casper Jangale] visited Karonga Stadium and made observations which are a security risk to players and spectators. Of course, the observations were made verbally but we will work on them to improve,” he said. n
