The Flames will play their opening match of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Ethiopia on home soil after CAF’s decision to give Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe temporary approval.

This follows an inspection conducted last week by Confederation of African Football (CAF) CAF Inspector Ivan Lengwe Mumba from Zambia.

Groundsmen working on Bingu Stadium pitch

It will be the first time for the Flames to play at home since March when the continental football governing body banned BNS for failing to meet some requirements.

The Flames were forced to play their 2022 World Cup qualification home matches at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A letter from CAF signed by its developmental director Raul Chipendo reads in part: “Please note that the approved stadium [BNS] will be set as the venue to host the Group D match between Malawi and Ivory Coast.”

CAF has also directed areas that need to be worked on to ensure that the stadium is permanently approved.

FAM general secretary Alfred Gunda welcomed the news in a statement issued on Sunday and thanked government for the collaboration as well as support to get the stadium certified.

He said: “We have come a long way to achieve this and we must thank the Malawi Government and the FAM leadership for the effort and resources that has enabled us get this status.

“It was important to have the pitch certified for international matches so that the Flames play home matches in the country to manage costs and allow Malawians to support their beloved team at their backyard.

“We will not relax, but go back on the ground to work on all the shortfalls so that we should get a permanent approval.”

In an interview on Sunday, Minister of Youth and Sports Richard Chimwendo Banda and Flames captain Limbikani Mzava said they were excited with the news.

He said: “This is good news for us all. It is good that Malawians will be able to watch their team on home soil.

“Playing on home soil also gives the home team a psychological advantage.

“But we still have some work to do to get a permanent approval, so we will not relax. Nevertheless, I thank officials from FAM, my ministry and BNS management for their efforts to ensure that the facility was in good condition.”

On his part, Mzava said: “This is the news we have been anxiously waiting to hear. It’s good that we will play our next game on home soil in front of our fans.”

Among others, CAF has indicated that much as the condition of the pitch has improved, it is not yet at a desired level as such, there is need to continue maintenance and preservation of the field of play area.

Another critical area is the improvement of public access where CAF is demanding that the stadium should be equipped with modern electronic access.

It has also stated the need for an automated counting system delivering real time spectators’ attendance per sector and data analysis to the VOC as well as preventing the use of counterfeit tickets and overcrowding.

Reads the letter in part: “Modern turnstiles with automatic counting apparatus need to be installed.”

Other areas to be worked on include substitutes benches, dressing room lockers, media related areas and sanitary facilities for spectators.

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