…FAM orders Sulom to shift match away from the stadium, Sulom says No…
Days after the Super League of Malawi (Sulom) announced plans to host the 2026 Super League opening match between Mighty Wanderers and Karonga United at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has declared that the facility remains closed and will not be ready to host elite football.
In a twist of events, current FAM President Fleetwood Haiya, who was leading SULOM in 2023, once defied a similar directive from FAM, then headed by Walter Nyamilandu.
At the time, FAM had deemed Kamuzu Stadium unfit to host the high-profile Blantyre Derby between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers, but Haiya’s Sulom proceeded with the fixture at the venue regardless.
Now, with Haiya at the helm of FAM, history appears to be repeating itself.
Sulom has rejected FAM’s directive to relocate the 2026 season opener, insisting the match will go ahead at Kamuzu Stadium despite concerns over its condition.
In an official letter, FAM stated that recent assessments found the stadium does not meet the standards required to host elite matches.
“In view of this, the FDH Premier League launch match between Mighty Wanderers FC and Karonga United FC, scheduled for 25 April 2026, cannot be played at Kamuzu Stadium,” reads part of the statement.
FAM has instructed Sulom and the host club to secure an alternative venue, warning that failure to comply could result in disciplinary action under Articles 15, 16, 17, and 55 of the association’s statutes.
The governing body further emphasized that no matches will be approved at the stadium until a comprehensive inspection is completed and the venue is certified as compliant with Club Licensing requirements.
FAM maintains that its priority is to ensure football activities are conducted in safe, professional, and regulation-compliant environments.
Despite this, Sulom remains adamant that the match will proceed at Kamuzu Stadium.
As of press time, Karonga United had already begun training at the venue, while sponsors were seen setting up branding in preparation for the season opener.
