Mibawa makes K40m from Afcon matches
Mibawa Studios Limited says it made $40 000 (about K40 million) for producing feed for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers between Malawi and Ethiopia as well as Ethiopia and Egypt matches.
During a press conference yesterday in Blantyre, Mibawa Studios Limited managing director John Nthakomwa said Confederation of African Football (CAF) paid $20 000 for each game.
He thanked CAF for engaging them to cover the matches after they were convinced with their equipment and personnel.
“Four years ago, Mibawa Studios embarked on a journey to develop local football production so that we no longer need foreign production companies to come to Malawi to produce international games and we begin to monetise their industry,” said Nthakomwa.
He said CAF approached Mibawa Studios Limited, a subsidiary of Mibawa Television Limited, to beam the two matches.
Said Nthakomwa: “It has not been by chance that CAF selected Mibawa Studios. We don’t know how they settled for us, but I am sure that they have been monitoring us.
“This is not the first time to have been hired by CAF. Last year, we covered three CAF matches, two Fifa matches as well as two Cosafa matches, but this is the first time that they have used our coverage to the international market.”
He said they are planning to invest at least $500 000 (about K500 million) to procure two outside broadcasting vans for a wider coverage of local football on Mpira TV.
Nthakomwa also said the investment would be done in phases and it is aimed at, among others, improving transmission.
On his part, Mibawa Studios production manager Tamandani Nkhwimba said it was no mean achievement to produce feed for international channels such as SuperSport.
He said the experience they have gained from covering CAF matches to the international market has given them confidence to serve the local market better.
Malawi beat Ethiopia 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on June 5 while Ethiopia stunned Egypt with a 2-0 win at the same venue four days later.
