FIFA approves Kamuzu Stadium venue for Malawi world cup qualifiers
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) says t FIFA has granted an approval for the Malawi to play their forthcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Namibia and Kenya back at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The Flames will line up against Namibia on 5th June and Kenya on 12th June 2013. All these games will now be played at Kamuzu Stadium and will kick off at 14:30 hours.
This follows FIFA inspection of Kamuzu Stadium on 21st April 2013 as well as CIVO Stadium in Lilongwe on 23rd April 2013. FIFA had sent its experienced inspector Adnan El Guindy from Egypt to carry out the inspection exercise.
In view of this development, FAM said the Flames matches will be played at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre with a restricted capacity of 17,000 spectators following the cordoning off of some stands.
“FAM will only print 17,000 tickets for the two matches. It goes without saying that FAM will adhere to the security plan that has been drafted by the Malawi Police Services and we will ensure that the plan is strictly implemented,” the association said in a statement on Tuesday signed by its CEO Sugzo Nyirenda.
“No tickets will be sold on the day of the game and spectators will be searched as usual before entering the stadium.
“FIFA is expected to send a Security Officer for each game and FAM will work with the FIFA Official in liaison with the Police Authorities to make sure that the safety and security of spectators is guaranteed.”
Meanwhile, FAM will announce the gate charges for the two matches taking into account the reduced capacity of the stadium to accommodate only 17,000 spectators.
“We would like also to inform the public that following FIFA’s approval to use Kamuzu Stadium for Malawi home matches, the friendly match between Malawi and Zimbabwe will take place at the Kamuzu Stadium on 25th May 2013 kicking off at 14:30 hours.
“This strength testing match will assist Malawi to prepare for the two crucial World Cup fixtures
in June 2013. Zimbabwe is one of the countries that the interim Technical panel had earmarked for a friendly match.”
It is expected that the Flames will start camp training on 13th May 2013 at Chiwembe Technical Centre in preparation for the two assignments in June and the friendly match against Zimbabwe.
FAM is also finalizing another friendly match for the FIFA calendar date on 14th August 2013 and this will be in preparations for the last World Cup fixture against Nigeria on 8th September 2013 in Abuja.
Flames will also participate at this year’s COSAFA Senior Challenge Cup slated for 6th to 21st July 2013 in Lusaka.
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