The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) would like to inform the football stakeholders that on Monday 2nd August 2021, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) made an inspection visit of Bingu National Stadium as part of the stadium’s assessment for homologation for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African Qualifiers.
According to a statement by FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda, based on the report of the inspector, CAF has informed us that the stadium does not meet the set CAF stadium minimum requirements and consequently will not be approved for the qualifying matches of the FIFA world Cup Qatar 2022.
According to CAF, the main reason for not approving the stadium is the pitch as it was not in playable condition on the day of inspection.
FAM has been advised to select a venue among the stadiums approved by CAF in neighboring countries and must inform CAF latest by 9th August 2021.
FAM is very disappointed with the news as it had high hopes of the facility passing the test considering the effort and resources the association has put in making the facility homologated.
It is in this regard that FAM has resolved to appeal against the CAF decision and will request for another assessment in the next 14 days.
The Association believes that tremendous progress has been made on improving the pitch at the stadium and that it will be ready for use for domestic and international fixtures by the 21st of August 2021. This was even shared with the inspector who had a first-hand experience of the work being done on the pitch.
FAM will write CAF to arrange another inspection on 22nd August 2021.
The Ministry of Youth and Sports, as owners of the facility, has given assurance that it is committed to ensuring that necessary resources are made available to complete the outstanding works on the pitch.
It is our desire that the Bingu National Stadium should be approved so that it should host the forthcoming matches of the World Cup Qatar 2022 as a home ground for the Flames. It is our sincere hope that CAF will reconsider its decision bearing in mind that most of the works have been completed and that the remaining portion will be easily resolved.
For further information please contact:
FAM Communications Department
Email: communications@fam.mw
Phone: 0999/888 436391
