Malawi: Kamuzu Stadium’s capacity verified

FIFA had urged FAM and stadium owners (Malawi Government) to verify Kamuzu Stadium’s capacity to satisfy one of the safety requirements. The stadium capacity has been verified by allocating each person with about half a metre (18 inches). The official stadium capacity is now 32,000.

In the past, the stadium capacity was believed to be 50,000 and yet the stadium was ever packed
during international games. It’s estimated that 60, 000 people filled the Kamuzu Stadium during the Malawi/DRC game in October 2008. With the reduction in capacity, the matches at the 32,000 Capacity Kamuzu Stadium will be oversubscribed. FAM has to make up for the lost revenue (reduction in stadium capacity) by inflating the entry fees.

To avoid overcrowding at the gates (which may result into tragedy) tickets will need to be sold a week in advance. Am sure the tickets will be sold out days before the game and FAM will need to make sure that the tickets are not dublicatable. After the tickets are sold out, FAM will need to make it public days before the game. The day of the game, anyone who comes to the stadium without a ticket should be arrested. Prevention is better than cure. Stadium tragedies, such as the most recent in Cote d’ Ivoire , need to be prevented at all costs.

Egyptian FIFA envoy El Giundy inspected Kamuzu Stadium today to determine whether it is fit to host the forthcoming Africa Zone World Cup qualifier between Malawi and Burkina Faso on June 6, 2009. No home ground advantage for Malawi?

P/S May 15, 2009
Fifa wants capacity reduced to 25,000