Football Association of Malawi (Fam) is expected to lose nearly K40 million through untapped gate collections after revelations that the Kamuzu Stadium capacity would again be trimmed to 25,000 during Flames' World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers which kick off next month.

Three years ago, Fifa declared the stadium a security hazard and ordered that it must not be filled to its capacity during international matches unless thorough renovations are carried out to reinforce the six open stands.

However, government did not take advantage of the international competitions break to do renovations and the stadium is in its usual tattered shape, or even worse, as it gears to host Nigeria and Chad in June.

Fam chief executive officer, Suzgo Nyirenda, said the development means that only 25,000 supporters will be let in, leaving space of 10,000 supporters vacant.

"We will still stick to the Fifa order because there have been no renovations this far," he said.

With an open stands ticket for an international game normally costing K500, Fam would miss at least K22 million in the up coming 2014 World Cup home matches against Kenya, Nigeria and Namibia and an Afcon encounter against Chad.

If the Flames reach the 2013 Africa Cup group stages via a convincing victory over Chad, they will be handed at least three home matches through which they will lose revenues of almost K17 million following the stadium restrictions.

The untapped revenue could have surely helped the cash strapped Fam to shoulder bills for at least three away matches. The football governing body, on average, spends about K10 million on a match played outside the country.

But as it stands, government which failed to renovate the stadium will have to dig deeper in its pocket to finance the national team. Already, Fam has asked for K80 million for the three upcoming matches.

Youth Development and Sports minister Enock Chakufwa Chihana confessed that it was unprofitable to let the Kamuzu Stadium be in its current poor state.

"Since there is a new government in place, we are hoping that things will improve. We really need to make the Kamuzu Stadium a bit modern," he said.

He promised to push for funds for maintenance of the sports facilities in the national budget that will be presented and debated in Parliament this coming June.

"Apart from the Kamuzu Stadium, we have other sports facilities like Kamuzu Institute of Sports that also need a facelift," Chihana said.

Meanwhile, Fifa is expected to send envoys to inspect the Kamuzu Stadium before the Afcon and World Cup matches begin.

Fam said the world soccer governing body had already officially informed them of their coming on an unannounced date.