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Mixed fortunes for local clubs on Africa rankings

 

TNM Super League champions Be Forward Wanderers and Masters Security FC have made significant improvements on the latest African Club Football rankings table while Nyasa Big Bullets have dropped.

The latest Confederation of African Football (CAF) rankings, prepared by www.eurotopteams.com, show that Wanderers are the highest rated outfit among the three ranked  Malawian sides after moving up to 151 from 350 (which is the starting point) out of 388 ranked clubs.

Bullets have slipped 40 places to 163 from their previous standing of 123 while Masters Security are Malawi’s third tanked club after moving up to 221 from 350.

The latest grading comes after Wanderers and Masters competed in this year’s CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup, respectively. Both were eliminated in the preliminary rounds.

Bullets last competed in CAF Championship in 2015 and their drop on the rankings table is as a result of their inactivity at the continental level for the last three years.

Wanderers’ general secretary (GS) Mike Butao yesterday said they are proud to be the highest ranked Malawian football club.

“Much as we are excited by the ranking, it is really no surprise. We have always been the best in the country and we are proud to always lead the way; opening doors for others to follow,” he said.

“We just need to improve further through regular participation in continental events and play more international friendlies with higher ranked teams.”

Masters’ GS Zachariah Nyirenda said: “It is pleasing that we are ranked at the continental level. Now, it is easy for foreign clubs and investors to partner us as we are recognised internationally.”

On his part, Bullets chief executive officer Fleetwood Haiya said that they have no problems with their latest ranking because they know their slump is a result of some years of not taking part in international competitions.

“But as we compete in next year’s CAF Championship, we know we will improve. The latest results have motivated us to up our game on the continental stage,” he said.

Football marketing expert Felix Ngamanya Sapao said in an interview yesterday that although it is not easy for local clubs to participate in continental tournaments due to financial constraints, the latest rankings are a proof that Malawi clubs can only expand their brands if they take part in Africa inter-club competitions.

He also urged Football Association of Malawi (FAM), Super League of Malawi (Sulom) and government to put in place deliberate policies to assist more local clubs gain international exposure.

 

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