By Vinjeru Ngwira
It has been 14 long years since the Northern Region of Malawi last witnessed the Flames, the national football team, play at Mzuzu Stadium. The absence has left many football fans in the region feeling forgotten and disconnected from the national game.
The last time Mzuzu Stadium hosted a national team match was on 6th July 2011, during Malawi’s Independence Day celebrations. The Flames faced Namibia in that match but suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat. Prior to that, the team had hosted Kenya in 2008.
For decades, Mzuzu Stadium served as a central hub for football in the North. In the early 1990s, it was not uncommon for residents to walk from nearby neighborhoods to catch a glimpse of their national heroes. Today, that opportunity is only a memory.
Built using prison labour, the stadium’s construction began on 12th February 1967 and was completed on 15th July 1970, with a budget of 4 billion Kwacha. The official opening ceremony took place earlier, on 3rd March 1970. Despite its rich history, the stadium is now seen as outdated and unfit for major events.
As the only major stadium in the Northern Region, Mzuzu Stadium was once a symbol of pride. However, it has gradually fallen into disrepair, dashing the hopes of local fans who wish to see their national team in action again.
In August 2023, the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) officially banned the stadium from hosting matches due to structural concerns and poor maintenance. This decision further deepened the region’s sense of exclusion from national and international football.
Sports analyst Phillip Pasula has been vocal about the issue, emphasizing the need for a modern stadium in the North. He argues that the Flames are a national treasure and should be accessible to fans across the country — not just those near Lilongwe or Blantyre.
He highlighted the challenges faced by fans from distant areas like Kameme in Chitipa, who must travel hundreds of kilometers to Lilongwe’s Bingu National Stadium to support their team. According to Pasula, this is both unfair and unsustainable.
Local football fan Yosefe Msinde echoed these concerns, saying the current condition of Mzuzu Stadium makes it unsuitable for hosting national matches. He believes urgent action is needed if the North is to be reintegrated into the country’s football activities.
Yosefe stressed that the people of the Northern Region deserve a modern football stadium, regardless of the cost. He highlighted the passion Northerners have for the game and their right to enjoy matches just like fans in other parts of the country.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Sports, McMillan Mwale said the government is considering short-term renovations for Mzuzu Stadium. However, the long-term plan is to explore the construction of a new stadium that meets modern standards.
Meanwhile, there is cautious optimism surrounding the Luwinga Inclusive Academy, which boasts two football pitches. The Football Association of Malawi is expected to install artificial turf on one of them, a move that could finally bring national football back to the North and reignite hope among the region’s loyal fans.
The Luwinga Inclusive Academy could offer a sigh of relief as the region continues to wait for a new, modern stadium.
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