The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier between Malawi’s Flames and Egypt’s Pharaohs on Tuesday at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe grossed a record K76.4 million.

This is K4.4 million better than the previous record of K72 million realised during the national football team’s Afcon qualifier against Ethiopia in June last year.

However, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) commercial and marketing director Limbani Matola said could have been generated  violence and security lapses that allowed some people to get into the stadium for free.had it not been for scenes of

He also explained that at least K65.4 million of the revenue, representing 86 percent, was generated through advance ticket sales while K11 million was realised on match-day.

Matola said net income was K52.2 million while total direct expenses amounted to K17.1 million, with K9.67 million being ticketing and sales commission, K5.77 million going to security services and K1.7 million to first aid, fire, public announcement system and other service providers.

“This is a positive indication that our commercialisation efforts of enhancing e-ticketing are bearing fruits,” he said.

Football analyst Humphreys Mvula observed that FAM would have collected more if the match was well marketed.

“It is a record, but I feel the money is on the lower side, considering that Malawi played against the likes of Mo Salah. The only way we can maximise revenue is through e-ticketing,”he said.

FAM has also thanked the government through, the Minister of Youth and Sports Uchizi Mkandawire for continued funding and support towards the national team.

The Flames suffered a big blow on their Afcon qualifying campaign after losing to Egypt 4-0 at home in the second-leg and 2-0 away. They lie third in four-team Group D on better aggregate following a tie on three points with Ethiopia. Egypt lead the group on better goal difference after a tie on nine points with Guinea.

The post Flames match raises K76.4m record revenue first appeared on The Nation Online.