Mzuzu Stadium facelift yet to start

Mzuzu City Council (MCC) is yet to start renovations at Mzuzu Stadium ahead of the kick off of the new season in April.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) through facility and transfer matching system manager Casper Jangale on November 15 said the stadium is not fit to host competitive football.

When The Nation visited the facility yesterday, overgrown grass and damaged toilets were noted.

The facility is used by TNM Super League sides, Mzuzu University (Mzuni) FC and Moyale Barracks FC as home ground.

Meanwhile, Mzuni FC and Moyale management have asked MCC to consider renovating the facility by the end of February.

Speaking in an interview, Mzuni FC general secretary Donnex Chilongo said MCC makes money through gate collection; hence, should not fail to renovate the facility.

“The last time we met MCC management on the pathetic state of the venue, they assured us that renovations will be done by end of January.

“To date, nothing is happening. We are asking them to start the renovations as soon as possible; otherwise, we might think of switching to another venue,” he said.

Sadly, Mzuzu Stadium is the only grouind in Mzuzu that can host elite football competitions.

MCC public relations officer McDonald Gondwe said they have allocated K3 million towards the renovations.

“We planned to do this work within three months. I can assure you that by the start of the TNM Super League season, the stadium will be in good condition. Of course, we have a number of areas to be maintained, but that should not worry the public,” he said.

Gondwe said the areas requiring maintenance, include, pitch, VIP stands, gates, hall, electricity reconnection, doors, painting, construction of guards’ area which will also be used for gate collections.

“Currently,  we have approached different stakeholders to place their adverts at the stadium by painting the fence, stands and bringing removable adverts during occasions,” he added.