Fifa certifies Calabar Stadium

Fifa has certified the U. J. Esuene Stadium as a safe venue to host next month's 2014 Fifa World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Malawi.

The Malawian FA confirmed through their chief executive officer, Suzgo Nyirenda, that they have received a letter from the world football governing body, assuring them of the safety of the match venue.

"In the letter, Fifa admits that our concerns are genuine," Nyirenda disclosed to the Malawian media.

Nyirenda however denied that their letter to Fifa had any mischievous end, insisting that they are not reluctant to make the trip to Calabar.

"It is not like we said we do not want to travel to Nigeria, we are just waiting for the Nigeria Football Federation to provide us the guarantee. Once they do that, we will travel to Nigeria," Nyirenda explained.

The Nigeria Football Federation sent a security plan to Fifa last week, following complaints from the Malawian FA concerning the security of the match venue.

Nigeria used the same venue for their World Cup qualifier against Kenya on March 23.