TNM Super League champions Nyasa Big Bullets have confirmed participation in the 2021/22 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has since said either Blue Eagles or Silver Strikers have until close of business today to officially express interest to join the CAF Confederation Cup.
FAM licensing and compliance manager Casper Jangale said Bullets have confirmed participation in the continental elite club tournament by paying the $300 (about K243 000) participation fee and starting the player registration process.
He said: “Apart from the player registration exercise, Bullets have also started the licencing process.
“So far, they are the only team that has confirmed participation in the CAF club tournaments.
“As for the Confederation Cup, Blue Eagles are eligible, having won 2019 Fisd Challenge Cup, which is a national cup and we also extended the offer to Silver who are eligible to participate by virtue of being 2019 Airtel Top 8 winners, in the event that Eagles decide not to participate.
“But despite sending invitations and reminders to express interest, both clubs have not responded and they have until close of business tomorrow [today] to do so, otherwise we will close the door on them as we require enough time for logistics.”
However, Jangale said the final determination on Bullets’ eligibility will be made by the FAM First Instant Body after going through their club licensing documentation.
“The First Instant body will meet this Saturday to go through the documentation ahead of the June 30 deadline for registration,” he said.
Among others, the participating teams are required to pay $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.
Bullets chief administration officer Albert Chigoga confirmed in an interview yesterday that they will take part in the tournament.
“We are taking part in the Champions League following our board’s approval and, to that effect, we have submitted all the necessary preliminary documents to FAM,” he said.
On whether they will be beefing up their squad for the continental showpiece, Chigoga said: “That is very likely.”
Player registration process for the tournament will end on July 10.
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 yesterday said he needed more time to consult while Silver’s chief executive officer Thoko Chimbali said: “Eagles indicated that they would participate and there has been no contrary communication from them. Our participation was dependent on Eagles withdrawing.”
