Blue eagles get CAF nod
Inspector General (IG) of Police Merlyn Nachulu Yolamu has assured Malawi Police Service-sponsored Blue Eagles Football Club of financial support if they qualify for the CAF Confederations Cup.
Blue Eagles are the 2022 TNM Super League runners-up with a game to wrap up the season.
Making the commitment on Wednesday at Nankhaka Stadium following the team’s 5-0 demolition of relegated Kasungu-based TN Stars, the IG was quoted by Zodiak Broadcasting Station radio as having said they have enough reason to finance them.
She directed the club’s management to start preparations for the competition.
Said Yolamu: “Getting these good results for a team that was about to be relegated last season, is something we need to cherish. We have agreed at management meeting that the better reward to the team for good performance in the Super League will be to finance them to take part in the CAF Confederations Cup.
“I am, therefore, instructing the team management to start preparations. We are aware that their participation in the international competition is not only good to the Police Service, but the country as whole.”
In 2020, the side also expressed interest to take part in the CAF Confederations Cup after winning the Fisd Challenge Cup in the previous season, but the dream was thwarted after getting a cold shoulder from the sponsor.
Following the IG’s assurance, club chairperson Alexander Ngwala said in an interview they will start preparations for the tournament.
“We have financial assurance and there is no need to delay the preparations. Soon, we will present to the administration our budget and all the requirements for the participation in the CAF Confederations Cup,” he said.
FAM club licensing manager Casper Jangale yesterday welcomed Blue Eagles’ interest earlier, saying they look forward that Blue Eagles will approach FAM for proper guidance.
He said: “It is good for our local teams to take part in such continental competitions on both aspects of financial gains through TV rights and exposure of our players and our game. We expect that they will approach us so that we should provide them proper guidance. ”
In their previous bid to participate in the competition, the Eagles presented a budget of K45 million for the preliminary round.
In 2018, Silver Strikers took part in the competition but exited the competition in the preliminary stage.
