BB CAF dream hangs by thread

It is all doom and gloom in the red side of town.

Big Bullets’ glossy dream of participating in the 2015 CAF Champions League now hangs by the thread after the club’s chairperson Kondie Msungama confessed on Monday that they have not sourced any funding yet and will pull out of the continental showpiece by February 5 if no help comes their way by then.

With just about a fortnight before their preliminary round first leg away tie against Club Fomboni in the Comoros Islands, Msungama conceded that Bullets’ participation is uncertain.

He said none of the more than 10 corporate companies they banked their hopes on has positively responded to their request for sponsorship.

“We have not given up hope yet, but the reality on the ground is that we have not made any headway because by now, we were supposed to have concluded things such as flight bookings, which we have not as there is no money,” he said.

Asked if he is prepared to take the blame should the ambitious dream fall by the wayside, Msungama was defiant, saying: “I do not think anyone can blame me because I have given it my best.”

And in a development that could compound Bullets’ misery, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has said it has received communication that CAF has since changed its rules for the competition, whereby a visiting team is supposed to meet all its expenses such as accommodation and meals.

“That is why prior to their decision to enter the tournament, we demanded a $20 000 [K9.6 million] guarantee to meet the fines imposed by CAF in the event that they withdraw. They still insist that they will make it, but we have asked them to give us a commitment letter,” said FAM general secretary Suzgo Nyirenda.

Nyirenda also said FAM has received communication from their Comoros counterparts who want Bullets to submit their travelling list by end of the week.

Nonetheless, Msungama is hoping against all odds that a silver lining will appear from the dark clouds hovering above his team in its quest to take part in the continental showcase.

Msungama further said they are hoping to raise between K15 million and K20 million from a two-leg bonanza against Mozambican side Songo.

“The first leg will be played this Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium with the return leg set for the following week in Lilongwe and the winner will get K1.5 million while the losing team will get K500 000.

But we are hoping to raise more from gate collections,” he said.

Bullets need about K30 million for their Comoros Islands foray.