Malawi’s Bingu Stadium has been barred from hosting international matches just a month after coming to Kenya’s rescue in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Malawi’s Bingu National Stadium is among venues that have failed inspection tests by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) despite hosting international matches last month.
The Stadium in Lilongwe came to Kenya’s rescue last month when Harambee Stars played their home 2026 World Cup qualifiers there owing to the lack of an approved venue back home.
Kenya hosted Burundi and Ivory Coast in matches they drew 1-1 and 0-0 respectively.
19:31 - 07.06.2024
Harambee Stars dearly miss home support as Burundi fans create carnival atmosphere in Malawi
Harambee Stars felt the impact of Kenya’s inability to stage home matches in Nairobi when Burundi supporters outnumbered their fans at the Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe.
However, just a month later, the 41,000-seater stadium has been banned from hosting CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup matches due to what was termed its poor condition.
CAF inspectors were in Malawi this week to assess the stadium and after their tour, it was deemed unfit to host continental matches, and this was confirmed when the Africa football governing body did not include it in the list of approved venues for inter-club competitions.
Bingu Stadium was named after former Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika and took nearly five years before it was opened with the ground breaking happening in July 2012 before it was officially inaugurated in January 2017.
21:59 - 29.05.2024
Bingu Stadium: What is the arena in Malawi that will offer Harambee Stars home comforts?
Harambee Stars will host Burundi and Ivory Coast at Malawi’s Bingu National Stadium and here is everything you need to know about the sports facility in Lilongwe.
Chinese firm Beijing Institute of Architectural Design did the design with Chinese contractor AFECC, also known as SOGECOA, doing the construction.
The stadium is multipurpose and has two covered and two open stands; an eight-lane standard running track; 56 lounges, medical centre; a police unit; two stand-by diesel powered generators of 800kw; and a 32,000-litre fire Hydrant water tank.
It also has an indoor training running track; two VVIP and two VIP lounges; four dressing rooms; two referee rooms; five event management rooms and three management rooms.
15:34 - 08.06.2024
The myriad of challenges plaguing Harambee Stars in Malawi
The setbacks our boys in red are facing in Malawi are numerous including lack of home support.
There are also eight shopping spaces at the stadium; two VVIP lifts; 800 toilets; and a 400-car parking space among other facilities.