Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Club Licensing First Instance Body has barred Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre from hosting elite competitions in the forthcoming 2026/27 season due to non-compliance of required standards.
In a statement, FAM also says Mzuzu and Nankhaka stadiums have also not been approved.
Kamuzu Stadium is the home venue for Blantyre-based football giants FCB Nyasa Bullets and Mighty Wanderers. On the other hand, Mzuzu Stadium is home ground for Malawi Defence Force outfit Moyale Barracks while Nankhaka in Lilongwe is Malawi Police Service side Blue Eagles’ home ground.
The statement reads: “The Football Association of Malawi Club Licensing First Instance Body has approved 14 stadiums to host elite competitions for the 2026/2027 season following inspections conducted in March.
Stadium. | Courtesey of Mighty Wanderers
“FAM inspected 21 venues across the country, after which the First Instance Body reviewed submissions and confirmed the approved facilities.”
The statement says the approved stadiums are Chitipa, Karonga, Rumphi, Chitowe in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota,, Champion Stadium in Mponela, Dowa and Aubrey Dimba Stadium in Mchinji.
Others are Silver Stadium, Civo Stadium and Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Dedza Stadium, Mulanje Park Stadium, Joyce Chitsulo Stadium in Mwanza, Zomba Stadium and Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre.
“Kamuzu Stadium, Nankhaka Stadium and Mzuzu Stadium have been deemed unfit to host matches due to non-compliance with required standards,” reads the statement.
FAM club licensing manager Clement Kafwafwa said stadium owners were given ample time to address deficiencies following an initial inspection exercise in January.
“We informed stadium owners of the required standards and necessary improvements for approval. While some addressed the issues, others did not, leading to these results,” he said.
Kafwafwa said FAM will continue monitoring venues to ensure compliance with regulations ahead of the new season.
In an interview yesterday, Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, owners of Kamuzu Stadium, said they were yet to be officially communicated about the development by FAM.
The ministry’s spokesperson Macmillan Mwale said: “However, we are committed to addressing the shortfalls. We also acknowledge that the facility is old.
“The major challenges facing the stadium are theft and vandalism. Some facilities also need replacement.”
Reacting to the development, Bullets acting chief executive officer Albert Chigoga said: “It is a setback. We pray that the issues raised will be fixed in good time. Otherwise, our alternative venue is Joyce Chitsulo Stadium in Mwanza which has passed the test.”
Some of the areas of concern raised by FAM include poor technical benches and sanitary facilities.
