Malawi flag- carriers in Confederation of African Football (CAF) competitions—Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers—will tomorrow know their fate as the draw for the 2019 Champions League and Confederations Cup takes place in Rabat, Morocco.
CAF yesterday announced that the draw will take place during the ad hoc committee of interclubs meeting.
Unlike in the past when the competitions kicked off in February, CAF has this year squeezed the calendar.
Both competitions’ will start this month end with the first legs of the preliminary rounds set for November 27.
But Malawi representatives, Bullets and Silver yesterday said they are geared up to face any opponent.
Newly recruited Bullets coach Callisto Pasuwa,a Zimbwean said the club has players good enough to compete at the highest level.
“However, it’s not just about players. It’s about everyone—the supporters, the executive committee, the technical panel. If we can all work together we can achieve a lot,” said the vastly experienced Zimbabwean.
Silver assistant coach Lovemore Fazili also expressed confidence in his players in Confederatiosns Cup, saying they do not need to beef up their squad.
While Bullets already started their preparations last month when they beat JKU of Zanzibar 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, the Bankers general secretary Lawrence Yobe said they will only arrange international friendlies after the draw.
“We would like to play against teams whose strength and style are very close to our prospective opponents in the competition,” he said.
In 2014/15, Bullets incurred debts amounting to about K90 million after they took part in the Champions League, but the club’s chief executive officer Fleetwood Haiya said this time, they are ready both financially and technically.
“We made a decision to join the competition after thorough research and planning of what is required to participate in CAF contest. I can assure you that we will get to any stage of the competition without facing any financial challenges,” he said.
Silver sponsors Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) spokesperson Mbane Ngwira said they have been planning for the event for months.
“We do not embark on a mission we cannot afford to complete. We will not turn back and say we have run out of funds for Silver to fulfill their assignments. However, I cannot say our actual budget as our calculations and estimations are yet to be finalised,” he said.
FAM club licensing and matching systems manager Casper Jangale yesterday said they are convinced that Bullets and Silver will not disappoint.
“The two sides have fulfilled most of the requirements for CAF participation and they appear to be serious with their campaigns,” he said. n
