BB, eagles eye CAF tourneys
Nyasa Big Bullets and Blue Eagles have expressed interest to compete in 2021/22 Confederation of African Football (CAF) tournaments whose registration started on June 1.
The People’s Team is eligible for the CAF Champions League by virtue of being TNM Super League champions while the Malawi Police Service outfit qualify for the CAF Confederation Cup participation having won the Fisd Challenge Cup in 2019.
In an interview yesterday, Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said while their position has not changed on participating in the elite continental club tourney, they will still have to get an approval from the club’s board.
He said: “Last year, we did not take part due to Covid-19, but we already made a position. But we will still need to consult and get the board’s position.”
Bullets board president Konrad Buckle last week dared the People’s Team to be ambitious and dream of winning the continental showpiece other than mere participation.
The People’s Team last participated in the elite tournament in 2019 when they were booted out in the preliminaries by FC Platinum of Zimbabwe 3-2 on aggregate. The previous year, they were also bundled out in the preliminary round by Gor Mahia of Kenya.
Eagles chairperson Alexander Ngwala was not available for comment, but he was quoted by Zodiak Broadcasting Station as having said that their intention to take part in the Confederation Cup still stands.
“We will take it up with FAM [Football Association of Malawi] and then we will seek guidance from our authorities, but we are capable,” he said.
FAM licensing and compliance manager Casper Jangale yesterday said registration runs up to June 30.
But he stressed that clubs interested to join will have to go through an appraisal process to see if they meet the requirements in line with club licensing.
Said Jangale: “The first step will be for the interested clubs to apply and in our case, priority will be given to Bullets and Eagles because they are eligible unless otherwise.
“Another important aspect is the $15 000 [about K12 million] surety to FAM in case of eventualities such as failure to meet some expenses and withdrawing when the tournament is in progress.”
On club licensing, Jangale said clubs need to meet all the five criteria which include having a youth team, approved home match venue and training ground.
It also includes having a proper administrative set-up, qualified technical personnel as well as submission of audited accounts and details about ownership.
“That process will run from June 10 to 26 so that the vetting committee can meet on June 27 and make a determination on whether a team qualifies or not,” he said.
Jangale said registration of players starts immediately up to July 10.
The FAM official also said in the event that Bullets fail to confirm participation in Champions League, then the offer will be extended to Mighty Wanderers who were the runners-up in the previous season.
“As for the Confederation Cup, in the event that Eagles fail to take part, then Silver Strikers—who won the Airtel Top 8—will be offered a chance to take part,” he said.
