Blantyre derby under floodlights

Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has shifted the kick-off time for the FDH Bank Premiership Blantyre derby between Mighty Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Bullets, from 2:30pm to 4:30pm at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday . The match will be played in Lilongwe because Football Association of Malawi banned Wanderers’ home ground, Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, from hosting elite matches after the facility failed to meet minimum requirements. The match will also mark the official launch of the FDH Bank Premiership which kickeed off two weeks ago.

With another high-profile fixture between Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles scheduled at Silver Stadium, just a stone’s throw away, Sulom general secretary Williams Banda said the delayed kick-off would give fans an opportunity to watch both matches. The development means the second-half of the derby is likely to be played under floodlights. Despite the venue having no electricity after Escom disconnected the supply, Banda assured fans that the match would still be played under floodlights.

This will be the second time in 2026 that a top-flight fixture will be played under floodlights at the venue after Master FC hosted Chitipa United match at BNS. Meanwhile, the Nomads have rolled out pre-sale tickets for the match through various outlets across the country. Advance tickets are currently selling at K8 000 for standard entry while match-day tickets will cost K10 000.

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VIP tickets are pegged at K20 000 in advance and K25 000 on match day. Wanderers brand and marketing manager Greyson Chapita said the club decided to make early ticket purchases a cost-effective option for fans. He said: “We are encouraging all our supporters and football fans to buy their tickets in advance.

Not only are advance tickets more affordable, but they also help fans to avoid the last-minute rush and congestion on match day. With the measures we have put in place, buying early guarantees a smooth and safe entry into the stadium.” Chapita said the club has also deployed mobile vans selling tickets as part of a broader strategy to bring convenience to supporters while maximising advance sales. “Our mobile vans will be moving across the city to make it easier for fans to access tickets.,” he said. Wanderers have also assured fans that they have strengthened security features to prevent counterfeit tickets.

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