The Football Association of Malawi (Fam) has announced that the 2024 FDH Bank Cup semi-final between holders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Moyale Barracks, scheduled for August 21, will be played under floodlights at Bingu National Stadium.
Fam Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the match will be played during midweek due to Bullets’ participation in the Caf Champions League.
“This is a big game, so we want to give people a chance to watch it after work. All things being equal, the match was initially supposed to be played during the weekend,” Zakazaka said.
Bullets advanced to the semi-finals after beating Civil Service United 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium, while Moyale defeated Lube Masters 2-1 at Mzuzu Stadium.
Moyale coach Pritchard Mwansa said they were not worried about playing under floodlights.
“This will not affect us in any way. We are focusing on our preparations,” Mwansa said.
Bullets interim Chief Executive Officer Albert Chigoga said it would help the players to get used to playing under floodlights.
“Some games in the Champions League are played at night, so it will be beneficial for us,” Chigoga said.
The other semi-final between Blue Eagles and Karonga United will be played at Civo Stadium in the afternoon next week.
Sports analyst Peterkins Kayira said playing under floodlights would help the players acclimatise.
“We have the facility to host games at any time. Our players need to get accustomed to playing under floodlights,” Kayira said.
The facility has hosted many games at night during the 2022 Region 5 Youth Games.
Recently, some games during the Four Nations Tournament were played under floodlights.
In 2022, the facility hosted a match between Ethiopia and Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at night.
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