Silver Strikers Football Club have declined Football Association of Malawi’s (FAM) offer to join the 2026/27 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Confederation Cup, citing late communication.
The development means top-flight league champions Mighty Wanderers will be the only team that will represent the country on the international stage, having confirmed participation in the CAF Champions League.
The Bankers’ chief executive officer Patrick Chimimba said in an interview yesterday that having also lost some key players, they will not be ready to compete in the continental club showpiece.
“The offer [from FAM] came in late and with some key players having left the club, we felt we are not ready to compete because the aim of taking part in such tournaments is to compete other than mere participation,” he said.
FAM offered the Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit the Confederation Cup slot after FCB Nyasa Bullets, who earned the slot after winning the 2025 Castel Challenge Cup, also opted out, saying they wanted to focus on domestic competitions as they were building a team.
Silver were then offered the slot by virtue of having won the FDH Bank Cup last season.
FAM competitions and club licensing manager Clement Kafwafwa said in view of the development, the offer will not be extended to any other team.
“Those were the ones that were eligible and we take it that we will have no team taking part in the tournament this year,” he said.
Kafwafwa, however, confirmed that Wanderers will take part in the CAF Champions League and are currently processing club licensing requirements for the tournament with the association.
Last year, Silver participated in the CAF Champions League and came within touching distance of qualifying for the group stages, but were booted out by Young Africans of Tanzania 2-1 on goal aggregate.
On the other hand, the Nomads took part in the CAF Confederation Cup and were shown the exit door by Botswana side Jwaneng Galaxy 4-3 on post-match penalties after tying one-all on aggregate over two legs in the first preliminary round.
Football analyst Felix Ngamanya Sapao said it is unfortunate that only one Malawian team will take part in the continental tournaments.
He said: “Last year, it was good seeing two Malawian teams taking part because it offers our players an opportunity for international exposure.
“Reaching the group stage also offer clibs monetary gains in terms of exporure.”
