K94m for MDC Stadium facelift

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has secured $135 000 (about K94 million) from Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the refurbishing of the MDC Stadium.

FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda said once the work is done the facility will be fit to host Super League matches.

He said: “Right now the facility can host some low profile matches, but we are aware that it is not safe to host high profile matches.

“There is need to transform the stadium into modern stadium with recommended security facilities like a tunnel for players entry into the pitch and a perimeter fence.

“Currently, the stadium does not have these facilities. Players pass through the VIP when entering the pitch which is not allowed. The outer fence is also unsecure as spectators can easily get into the pitch.”

Nyirenda said a consultant had already drawn up a plan on the work to be done at the stadium before the end of the year.

“Our consultant has done a very good job. We will soon send the plans to CAF for their approval,” he said.

The development should be good news to PremierBet Wizards who have opted to play their cup games at the MDC Stadium.

The club’s owner and technical director Peter Mponda said they were considering making MDC Stadium their home ground.

“It seems like we have fallen n love with the MDC Stadium. We enjoy massive support since most of our supporters are from that area. We have been playing our cup games at MDC Stadium and we would love to make it our home ground even in the Super League,”

Wizards booted out Blue Eagles in Carlsberg Cup and Mzuzu United in round of 32 and 16 respectively at MDC Stadium.

They face Mangochi Police in the quarter-final at the same venue this Sunday.

Ironically, most of Wizards players honed their skills at MDC Stadium when it housed Surestream Academy who previously owned he club.