BB shun CAF Champs League
Nyasa Big Bullets have resolved not to compete in the 2017 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League, citing lack of resources and the team’s recent poor performance.
By virtue of being Super League champions, Bullets qualify for the elite CAF Champions League.
But speaking before the November 31 registration deadline, Bullets general secretary Kelvin Moyo said they have decided against contesting.
The club leadership, he said, fears that the team is not good enough to challenge for the continental club honours.
“We have decided not to enter into the competition. Our team hasn’t been doing well so we doubt they can impressively perform against the continent’s best,” he said.
Bullets were knocked out of the Fisd Challenge Cup after losing 1-0 to Silver Strikers while their title defence is in a tough test following recent draws with Silver, Red Lions and Azam Tigers.
Moyo also stated that the team is not financially stable to invest in the competition.
“Remember the last time we participated, we incurred massive debts which continue to haunt us to-date. We need to plan well, from the financial perspective, before vying for Africa titles,” he said.
Meanwhile, football marketing expert Felix Ngamanya Sapao has said the club has missed a potential chance to financially gain from the competition.
He said the current reforms which will see 16 teams qualify for the group stages, where teams earn massive image and television rights fees, should have made it easy for Bullets to benefit.
Previously, only eight team reached the group stages which were divided into two groups of four teams, but now there will be four groups.
Said Sapao: “The team had a chance to reach the money stages. I feel that this is a missed opportunity. It is also sad that clubs from little known footballing countries are competing in CAF tournaments while we are just dormant,” he said.
Bullets competed in the 2015 Champions League edition, but were eliminated in the preliminary tound by Al Hilal of Sudan. n
