Silver Strikers make a decision on Caf tourney

Silver Strikers have refused to take part in any of the 2023/24 Totalenergies Caf Competitions saying they didn’t win anything last season.

The Bankers though failed to win a trophy in 2023, they have the chance of playing in the Caf competitions by virtue of finishing second in the TNM Super League.

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However, the Bankers decided against taking part in the Intercontinental showpiece after being offered the chance by the Football Association of Malawi.

The Club’s Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Chimimba confirmed with Nation Sport about the offer from FAM saying that participation in such elite tournaments should be earned.

“We won nothing last season and it wouldn’t look good at all for us to participate based on coming second,” said Chimimba.

Malawi has two slots in the Caf competitions, one in the Champions League and one in the Confederation Cup. FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have the chance to choose either competition that they would be willing to take part in this season after winning the National Cup [FDH Bank Cup] and Super League.

Silver Strikers’ decision to turn down the offer from FAM, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who finished third last season has the chance of playing in the competition, that they lost appeared in 2018 as they were booted out by AS Vita.

The Nomads are yet to make the decision on Caf competitions as they said playing in the competition will depend on the team’s performance in the first 7 games of TNM Super League.

Malawi has been contributing only one team in the Competitions as Big Bullets have been playing in the CAF Champions League despite being booted by Al Hilal, Gor Mahia, Amazulu, FC Platinum, Simba SC, and TP Mazembe.

Bullets Chief Administrative Officer, Albert Chigoga told Wa Mpira on Monday that they still have time to decide on the competition that they will play this season.

“The Caf has indicated that we have up to 25 to 26 of this month to make the decision on whether we will participate in the Caf competitions or not. As a team, we will make the decision.

On receiving support from FAM, “We are very much excited to hear the President [Haiya] declaring it. For the last few years, we have been playing in the [CAF] Champions League, and we were doing it with our capabilities.

“It is the first of this kind for the Football Association of Malawi to support us financially in our participation in the Caf Champions League. In the past, this never happened, the Club was actually supporting itself and we are proud and happy for the decision that has been made,” said Bullets CAO, Albert Chigoga.

Football Association of Malawi Club Licensing and Compliance Manager said the process of registering teams for the forthcoming Caf Tourneys is underway and Bullets have been given the chance to choose the competition they will play this year.

He said, “We have engaged clubs to apply for participation either in the CAF Champions League or the CAF Confederation Cup.

“But the first right of refusal is with Bullets, having won all silverware last season and we have given them until May 25 to choose which tournament they want to compete in so that thereafter, we can advise any other interested team to compete in the other competition.” #WaMpira #allaboutsports