Malawi Team to Arrive On Thursday

A contingent of 20 players and five officials of Malawi national soccer team are expected to arrive on Thursday in readiness for a friendly match against Taifa Stars to be played at the New National Stadium on Sunday.

Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) secretary general Fredrick Mwakalebela said his body is footing all the expenditure of the entourage.

However, Mwakalebela was not sure whether the new stadium would be available for use on Sunday but insisted that communications are underway to convince the stadium owners.

The final confirmation is yet to be secured on the use of the New National Stadium that suffered massive vandalism when the last time it was used in a match between Stars and Mozambique last year.

"We hope the stadium would be released for the match to be played there, said Mwakalebela", said Mwakalebela.

Should the stadium be released, the TFF boss said a tight security would be deployed to safeguard the stadium from unnecessary vandalism as well as spectator's safety.

Mwakalebela said entrance fees would be announced few days before the match day as Stars are expecting to resume training today.

Stars are playing the trial match to gauge their prowess ahead of the African Nations and World Cup 2010 qualifiers.

Stars kick start the campaign against Mauritius on May 31 at the same venue.