Karonga seeks 3-day pre-match Training at BNS ahead of Airtel Top 8 semifinal

Karonga United has formally requested the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) for a three-day training period at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

The request comes as the Northern Region side prepares to face FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in the Airtel Top 8 Cup semi-final, scheduled for Saturday at 6 PM at the same venue, reports Timveni Online.

According to Karonga United General Secretary Ramsey Simwaka, the unprecedented request stems from the team’s lack of experience playing under floodlights in a competitive setting. The upcoming fixture marks the first time many of their players will compete in a night match at a fully lit stadium.

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Simwaka highlighted the unique challenges posed by floodlit matches, specifically citing the visual distortion caused by players’ shadows.

“We will need three days to train at Bingu National Stadium during night so that our players get used to playing under the lights. They are yet to play during night,” he tells Timveni Online.

He emphasized that acclimatization to these conditions is crucial for his team’s performance, as their players are unaccustomed to such an environment.

The FAM recently released the fixture schedule for the Airtel Top 8 Cup semi-finals, confirming the Saturday evening kick-off for the highly anticipated clash between Karonga United and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.

Karonga United earned their spot in the semi-finals after a hard-fought victory over Mighty Wanderers. Their opponents, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, secured their place by defeating Creck Sporting Club.

In the other semi-final encounter, Silver Strikers will host Civil Service United at 3 PM on Sunday, also at Bingu National Stadium.