Caf to inspect Bingu National Stadium
Confederation of African Football (Caf) stadium experts are expected to arrive in the country next week to inspect Bingu National Stadium.
The visit will be aimed at certifying the stadium’s preparedness to host World Cup qualifiers in September.
Football Association of Malawi (Fam) earmarked the facility to host the qualifiers following Caf’s declaration that Kamuzu Stadium was unfit to host matches.
Fam conducted its own assessment before sending photos and footage to the continental football governing body for further assessment.
According to Fam General Secretary Alfred Gunda, the inspection is scheduled for early next month.
“We received communication from Caf that we should provide space between August 1 and 8 for inspection of the facility,” Gunda said.
Fam Compliance Manager Casper Jangale inspected the facility early this month.
Among other things, Jangale witnessed the testing of floodlights before assessing other areas such as dressing rooms and media facilities.
Malawi are in Group D of the qualifiers alongside Ivory Coast, Cameroon and Mozambique.
Fam was fined $6,000 for hosting Uganda at Kamuzu Stadium in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in March this year.
Football consultant Kevin Moyo said he was optimistic that the facility would pass the test.
“This is the best stadium in Malawi and I am sure Caf will approve it to host international matches,” Moyo said.
If approved, BNS will also host Caf Champions League matches for Nyasa Big Bullets and Confederation Cup matches for Silver Strikers.
Caf set tough conditions for stadiums to be approved, including that the field of play must be green, smooth, leveled and in perfect condition for a top-level football match.
Another requirement is that there will have to be two covered benches of quality material at high level, each with a seating room for at least 14 persons and positioned at least five metres from the touchline and one covered bench of quality material at pitch level with seating room for four match officials.
