Eyebrows have been raised after Super League of Malawi (Sulom) moved the TNM Super League match between Baka City and champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to Kamuzu Stadium.
The two were set to clash today at Karonga Stadium but, instead, they will meet at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday.
This follows concerns over the condition of the ground which were highlighted after Bullets defeated Chitipa United 3-0. Part of the pitch was waterlogged.
A video clip has gone viral on social media showing a boy swimming around one corner of the pitch due to poor drainage of the ground.
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Besides that, the pitch is also bumpy.
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Surprisingly, the change of fixture came after Bullets Coach Kalitso Pasuwa lamented the condition of the pitch soon after the People’s Team collected their first maximum points of the season.
“We won, yes, but allow me to talk about the condition of the pitch, which needs improvements. If we talk about playing in the Caf Champions League, we need similar standards, in terms of infrastructure. What we saw here is not up to that level because, in the end, we will end up having more players injured,” Pasuwa said.
Sulom Vice General Secretary Donnex Chilongo conceded that Karonga Stadium was in a bad state and that the body is considering shifting the league’s games to Rumphi Stadium.
“Yes. The state of Karonga Stadium is really not conducive to hosting league games, especially with these rains in the North currently. We are currently monitoring the situation. If the rains persist, we will have no choice but to shift the games to Rumphi Stadium.
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“It is a big concern because playing in waterlogged conditions is a threat to players and even the officiating panel,” Chilonga said.
He said they intend to engage Karonga District Council to discuss how the problem can be solved.
However, Chilonga insisted that the fixture between Baka and Bullets had not yet been confirmed, hence fixing it at Kamuzu Stadium.
Karonga acting District Commissioner Frank Mkandawire promised to return our call.
Meanwhile, Chitipa General Secretary Watson Kabaye has reserved his comment on Sulom’s suggestion to move games from Karonga to Rumphi if the rains persist in Karonga.
“We have not been communicated to by Sulom on the matter. We are of the view that Karonga Stadium is good and fit to host games. This is the reason why our team hosted Bullets at the same venue,” Kabaye said.
