As the 2025/26 CAF inter-club tournaments kick-off this weekend, the country’s flag carriers Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers will be hoping to defy the odds and compete for the ultimate prizes, a combined $6 million (about K10.5 billion).
The Bankers are competing in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League in which the winner will cart home $4 million (about K7 billion) at the current bank exchange rate, with the runners-up getting $2 million (about K3.5 billion).
On the other hand, the Nomads are taking part in the CAF Confederation Cup, whose main prize is $2 million (about K3.5 billion) while the losing finalist will receive $1 million (about K1.75 billion).
Silver start their campaign against Malagasy side Elgeco Plus in Mauritius in the preliminary round first leg tomorrow while Wanderers host Jwaneng Galaxy of Botswana at the same stage at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
In an interview yesterday, the Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit’s board chairperson Dr George Kaudza Masina said they are eyeing the top prize.
“We are not mere participants, we are on a mission to compete for the ultimate prize,” he said.
On the least expectations, Kaudza-Masina said: “We want to go as far as we can. We are not looking down upon ourselves and we are determined.”
Assistant coach Peter ‘Shoes’ Mgangira also said they fancy their chances of going far in the competition.
“We know we will be up against the continent’s best, but we are determined to get something from this campaign. We have told the boys not to look down upon themselves,” he said.
On the other hand, Wanderers president and board chairperson Dr Thomson Mpinganjira set qualification for the group stages as a target which could fetch the Nomads a minimum of $400 000 (about K705 million).
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira said the target is achievable.
He said: “It is the president’s wish that we should go far in this
tournament and it is possible.
“Most of our players have played at international level and, therefore, they are not venturing into unchartered territory. What we need to do is just prepare well and urge the players to give out something extra.”
In the Champions League, the losing semi-finalists will get $1.2 million (about K1.2 billion) while in the Confederation Cup, they will get $750 000 (about K1.3 billion).
The two teams are also set to receive $100 000 (about K175 million) subvention each from the continental football governing body.
But Wanderers chief executive officer Panganeni Ndovi said they will only get the funds from CAF after the tournament.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the money “is sent either during or after the tournament, but they are assured of getting it anyway”.
Meanwhile, FAM has said both Wanderers and Silver have paid for match officials’ travel and accommodation expenses for their preliminary round home games.
According to CAF rules and regulations, home teams are supposed to meet travel and accommodation expenses for the referee, assistant referees, fourth official, match commissioner and match assessor.
