BB, Masters get CAF greenlight
Nyasa Big Bullets and Masters Security will represent Malawi in Confederations of African Football (CAF) club competitions after beating May 31 deadline to fulfil requirements.
Bullets will be Malawi flag carriers in CAF Champions League while Masters Security are returning to the Confederations Cup after a year’s break.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) club licensing and compliance manager Casper Jangale confirmed that the two teams had met the conditions set up by the CAF.
“There were guidelines under club licensing that the two clubs were supposed to follow by May 31, and they have indeed fulfilled them. The registration process has now started and these are the two teams likely to represent Malawi,” he said.
Among the requirements, the two clubs were supposed to deposit K15 million surety with the continent’s football governing body.
“You remember we attended the club licensing workshop in Uganda last month. We were briefed on the set of guidelines for all the teams that want to participate in the 2019 CAF competitions. We briefed the clubs and we are happy that they have complied,” said Jangle.
While Bullets and Masters have the green light, Lilongwe-based Silver Strikers’ participation are in limbo.
The Bankers were hoping to return to the Confederations Cup after participating in 2018.
But Masters Security, who qualify for the competition following their Carlsberg Cup victory, have made the Bankers dreams to hang.
“Silver are on standby in case Masters decide to pull out,” said Jangale.
Malawi has two slots—one each for the Champions League and Confederations Cup.
Jangale said Malawian clubs need to be consistent in the CAF competitions and reach at least the quarter-finals in order to improve Malawi’s quota.
“Countries such as South Africa and Democratic Republic of Congo have more than two slots because their teams not only participates in every CAF competition, but have also won a couple of times,” he said.
Last year Bullets were knocked out in the preliminary round by Kenya’s Gor Mahia while Silver were booted out by Cercle Mberi FC from Gabon.
Bullets chief executive officer Fleetwood Haiya said they were capable of making it far in this year’s edition.
The draw for the competitions will be held in July with the preliminary round first legs set for August 8 and 9.
