Bullets excited to face Red Arrows
Malawi’s sole representatives in the 2024 Confederation of African Football (CAF) TotalEnergies Champions League FCB Nyasa Bullets say they are excited to meet neighbours Red Arrows of Zambia in the preliminary round.
This follows a draw held yesterday in Cairo, Egypt which pitted the TNM Super League champions against the Zambian MTN Super League champions.
Reacting to the draw, Bullets acting chief executive officer Albert Chigoga said it would be interesting to play the neighbours.
He said: “I would say it is a tricky draw. Playing Zambian champions will be fascinating.”
Ironically, the winner will face Democratic Republic of Congo’s TP Mazembe in the second preliminary round.
Last year, Bullets defeated FC Dragon of Equatorial Guinea’s 3-0 on aggregate while Red Arrows did not qualify.
Bullets were knocked out by TP Mazembe in the second round after losing 5-0 on aggregate.
Football analyst Charles Nyirenda in an interview yesterday said though the fixture is tricky, Red Arrows are not invincible.
He said: “With good preparations, Bullets can make it to the second round.”
On the other hand, the preliminary round first leg will be played between August 16 and 18 while the second leg is set for August 23-25.
The second preliminary round first leg will be played between September 13 and 15 while the second leg is scheduled for September 20-22.
The group stages are scheduled for October and December 2024 while the knockout phase and final will be played between March and May 2025.
There will also be four players’ registration windows for participating member associations, according to CAF.
Bullets will be able to register players participating in the preliminary round from July 1 to 20 July.
If they qualify for the second round, they can register more players between July 22 to August 31.
CAF said teams participating in group stages may register additional players between September 1 and 30.
Bullets have participated in the last five editions of the Champions League.
In 2018-19, they were booted out by Kenya champions Gor Mahia through post-match penalties.
In 2019-20 Bullets were shown the exit by Zimbabwe’s Platinum FC following a 0-0 draw at Kamuzu Stadium and 3-2 loss in Bulawayo while in 2020-21, Bullets beat AmaZulu of South Africa 1-0 away but were stunned 3-0 at Bingu National Stadium.
Bullets lost to Tanzania giants Simba FC 2-0 both at home and away to exit the 2021-22 competition in the preliminary round.
