By Mabvuto Kambuwe:
TNM Super League champions-designate Silver Strikers are weighing the possibility of taking part in the 2025 Confederation of African Football (Caf) Champions League, Times Sport has learnt.
Silver are eligible for the continental elite club competition by virtue of being TNM Super League champions.
Silver Chief Executive Officer Patrick Chimimba said they would make a decision on the issue at the end of the season.
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“We feel that playing in Caf will motivate the players after working hard to win the league title.
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“We also believe playing in the Caf competition will expose our players and, at the same time, improve Malawi football,’’ Chimimba said.
Silver have the capacity to take part in the Caf Champions League as they are backed by the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM).
On top of that, Caf provides $50,000 (about K90 million) as starter-pack to teams that participate in the Caf Champions League first preliminary round.
The money is for travel and logistical costs.
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“For now, I do not want to pre-empt what will happen. Let us wait until the end of the season,” Chimimba said. Silver last participated in the continental club competition in 2018 but were eliminated in the first round after they lost 4-3 to Ambere Sporting Club of Gabon after they were tied at 1-1 on aggregate.
William Matambo said they, as sponsors, were excited with the exploits of the team this season.
“The team has done us proud and we are happy. We will do everything possible to motivate the players.
“It is our ambition to play in the Caf Champions League but we will make a formal announcement,” Matambo said.
Silver Coach Peter Mponda also supported the idea of participating in the Caf Champions League.
“I hope management will decide on the matter and assess all the factors,” Mponda said in a post-match interview on Saturday. Sports analyst Parry Chinyama backed Silver to participate in the Caf Champions League.
“It will be a good decision for them to play in the Caf Champions League.
“Silver will also benefit a lot from Caf,” Chinyama said.
Silver ended FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ reign after winning the title following a 1-0 victory over Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre. In so doing, they ended their 11-year wait for the title.
For five consecutive years, Bullets have been Malawi’s sole representative in the Caf Champions League.
However, the People’s Team will likely turn their attention to the Caf Confederation Cup-second-tier continental club competition.
Blue Eagles, who won the FDH Bank Cup, also qualify for the Caf Champions League.
