TNM Super League returnees Mafco have disclosed plans to persuade Illovo Sugar Company to rescind its decision and reopen Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota.
Last week, the company closed the ground due to an upsurge of Covid-19 cases at Dwangwa Estate and in the process hammering a blow to Mafco, who use the venue for their home games.
Mafco Chairperson Major Hastings Subiri said, even though they were not officially communicated to, the Salima-based soldiers would engage Illovo management to consider reversing its decision.
“We just saw in the papers that Chitowe ground has been closed. This will affect our chances of winning the league. We are ready to follow all Covid-19 guidelines to still use the ground,” he said.
Last week, Illovo spokesperson Olive Kawerama confirmed the closure of the ground, saying the decision was reached at due to the upsurge of Covid-19 cases at Dwangwa estate.
“It is true that the stadium has been closed after appropriate consultation with Super League of Malawi and our medical team in view of the rapidly rising Covid-19 infections in the country.
“We have had to consider the wellbeing of our employees, their dependants as well members of the community surrounding our Dwangwa Estate. We have had to make this decision after we found seven positive cases within the past week, which included some of our employees and their dependents,” she told this paper.
Meanwhile, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has released this weekend’s fixture, which shows that Mafco will host TN Stars at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on Friday.
Mafco are on position seven with 13 points.
