The Flames’ 2018 World Cup preliminary round second leg match against Tanzania played at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday suffered a low turnout never seen in recent times.
The association printed 22 000 tickets for the match, but empty stands greeted the national team, a situation Football Association of Malawi (FAM) attributed to the team’s 0-2 loss in the first leg on Wednesday.
Even the Biafra stands usually occupied by Big Bullets supporters who do not choose games had gaps.
FAM competitions manager Gomezgani Zakazaka said they did their best to sell the game.
“We did everything we could. The tickets were available by Friday, but still there wasn’t that much enthusiasm from the fans,” Zakazaka said after the game.
“Possibly, it is the result from the first leg that made people not come and watch the game as we expected.”
With Supersport, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and Zodiak Broadcasting Station (ZBS) all broadcasting the game live, many opted to stay away and watch the game in the comfort of their homes.
Stadium supervisor Charles Mhango said the tickets at the stadium, which is usually the biggest outlet, did not even hit half.
“It is a disaster. The game did not fetch as much as we expected. I don’t know how service providers will be paid,” he said. n
