Far Post: In Africa, a Chinese stadium boom

******** From this year, Malawi's national team, the Flames, will play home matches in Lilongwe, a gridded city of embassies and fenced-off NGO
Far Post: In Africa, a Chinese stadium boom
Far Post: In Africa, a Chinese stadium boom /

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Zimpeto National Stadium in Maputo, Mozambique, is one of a number of stadia across Africa built with funds provided by the Chinese government.
Zimpeto National Stadium in Maputo, Mozambique, is one of a number of stadia across Africa built with funds provided by the Chinese government :: Johannes Myburgh/AFP/Getty Images

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Mozambique-born Portuguese star Mario Coluna, center, captained a friendly between Portugal and Brazil at Estadio Salazar -- eventually renamed Estadio do Machava -- in 1968.
Mozambique-born Portuguese star Mario Coluna, center, captained a friendly between Portugal and Brazil at Estadio Salazar -- eventually renamed Estadio do Machava -- in 1968 / ZumaPress.com

From this year, Malawi's national team, the Flames, will play home matches in Lilongwe, a gridded city of embassies and fenced-off NGO headquarters, rather than the commercial capital Blantyre, where the national team has always played since Malawi's independence.

Malawi's Victor Nyirenda, left, and Ivory Coast's Arthur Boka tussle for the ball during their World Cup qualifying game in 2009 at Kamuzu Stadium.
Malawi's Victor Nyirenda, left, and Ivory Coast's Arthur Boka tussle for the ball during their World Cup qualifying game in 2009 at Kamuzu Stadium / AP

Elliot Ross is editor of The Far Post. As a child, Elliot spent time in a seminary in no-man's land between Zambia and Malawi. Now based in Brooklyn, NY, he is a regular contributor to Africa is a Country.


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