BB sceptical on Silver Stadium capacity

Big Bullets FC have said they have serious reservations on FAM’s decision to fix Silver Stadium as the venue for their Standard Bank Knockout Trophy semi-final against Mighty Wanderers.

The club’s chairperson Malinda Chinyama on Wednesday said their concerns are based on security grounds and FAM will be doing so at their owner risk.

“It is not that we are afraid to face Wanderers. In fact, we can play them anywhere any time. The point is that it is a big risk because Silver Stadium is too small to host such a big match. If anything, they should have postponed it until Civo Stadium is ready,” said Chinyama.

However, FAM chief executive officer Suzgo Nyirenda said the concerns raised by Bullets had already been addressed by hiking the entry charges.

Nyirenda also insisted once the stadium is full, the gates will be closed.

The Nomads said they are ready to face Bullets at any venue.

General secretary David Kanyenda said: “Bullets should leave the issue of capacity to the organisers who are better placed to handle it. As for us, we are ready to play them anywhere at any given time.”

Security will be tightened

Meanwhile, FAM has announced that it will deploy 250 police officers at Silver Stadium to maintain law and order during the Saturday semi-final.

“We planned to deploy 150 police officers, but we have increased the number because we have our reputation to protect. We know it will be a difficult game,” said FAM commercial manager Casper Jangale.

He said they will also increase the number of stewards.

Silver Strikers club chairperson Dr McDonald Mafuta-Mwale said their sponsors, Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM), already expressed concern over the damaged fence.

“Basically, it shows lack of discipline on the part of football supporters and lack of adequate security to safeguard our assets. This may lead to denying such teams with such destructive supporters use of the stadium,” said Mafuta-Mwale.

In a related development Jangale hinted that they want to introduce a new system of giving the teams their dues on Monday, after assessing damages on the stadium facilities, if any.