The Super League of Malawi (Sulom) has expressed delight after Saturday’s TNM Super League clash between Silver Strikers and FCB Nyasa Bullets grossed a record-breaking K113.7 million at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe.
Sulom vice-president Ronald Chiwaula, who also chairs the body’s safety and security subcommittee, described the achievement as a major step forward under Sulom’s “Revive, Rebrand and Reform” initiative.
“This is an historic milestone and a clear indication that our efforts to tighten gate management controls are paying off,” said a visibly elated Chiwaula in an interview on Saturday. “I’m proud of this progress.”
He further noted that Sulom’s decision to stage the game at BNS rather than Silver Stadium was justified by the overwhelming crowd size.
“The turnout was far beyond what Silver Stadium could handle,” he said.
Breaking down the figures, K80.63 million was generated through pre-sale tickets, K29.89 million from match day sales, and K3.2 million from e-ticketing. After deducting expenses — including payments to the cashiering firm and security services totaling K30.62 million — the net revenue stood at K83.10 million.
From the net amount, both Silver Strikers and FCB Nyasa Bullets received K22.85 million each, representing 55 percent. The Ministry of Youth and Sports, as stadium owner, collected K20.76 million (25 percent), while Sulom earned K8.31 million (10 percent). The Football Association of Malawi and the Malawi National Council of Sports each took home K4.16 million, translating to five percent shares.
Despite the record-breaking collection, concerns were raised by Bullets and the Ministry over possible revenue leakage.
Bullets acting CEO Albert Chigoga remarked: “While we are happy with the K113 million figure, we believe it does not fully reflect the massive turnout. The attendance was incredibly high.”
Echoing similar sentiments, Ministry spokesperson Macmillan Mwale emphasized the need for reforms.
“There’s a gap between turnout and revenue. The current gate management system needs a complete overhaul to curb losses caused by underhand dealings at the gates,” he said.
Mwale also proposed reinforcing the stadium’s perimeter fence to prevent unauthorized access and improving ticket vetting systems to eliminate the use of recycled tickets.
Ticket prices were pegged at K5,000 for advance purchases and K7,000 on match day.
Saturday’s game broke the previous gross revenue record of K80.49 million set during last season’s first-round Blantyre derby between Mighty Wanderers and Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium.
