Newly crowned 2024 Castel Challenge Cup champions Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have disclosed plans to participate in this year’s Caf Confederation Cup.
The club’s president and business mogul Thomson Mpinganjira alluded to the issue at the Presidential Ball awards ceremony held at Makoli Restaurant, Bvumbwe, Thyolo District, on Tuesday.
Wanderers are eligible to take part in the continental second-tier club competition after winning the 2024 Castel Challenge Cup following 1-0 victory over Mzuzu City Hammers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
“We are willing to participate in this year’s Caf Confederation Cup.
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“In the meantime, we are talking to our sponsors to give us [a] special budget for the Caf competition,” Mpinganjira said.
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If Wanderers participate in the Caf Confederation Cup, there will be two domestic clubs participating in Caf continental club competitions as TNM Super Strikers will take part in the Caf Champions League. League champions Silver
Participating in Caf competitions requires huge financial backing. However, clubs participating in both the Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup are entitled to $50,000 (about K87 million) as starter-pack.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have been Malawi’s sole representative in Caf competitions for the past five years.
Wanderers last participated in the continental showpiece in 2018 but exited in the first preliminary round of the Caf Champions League after suffering a 6-1 loss on aggregate to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) side AS Vita.
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Meanwhile, Mpinganjira has issued a stern warning to errant players, saying the club would not hesitate to crack the whip on them.
“There are some players who think they are bigger than the club. We had two incidents last year but we dealt with them,” Mpinganjira said.
At the event, midfielder Isaac Kaliati shone like a beacon, having been named overall Player of the Season.
He was also named the Best Midfielder and the Most Improved Player.
He got a total of K1 million, with Mpinganjira providing K400,000, Wanderers partners Smile Life Insurance Company providing K500,000 and team manager Steve Madeira providing K100,000.
William Thole won the Goalkeeper of the Season award whereas Timothy Silwimba was named the Best Defender.
Clement Nyondo was named the Best Striker.
The Presidential Award went to Bob Mpinganjira whereas Adam Wallace was named rookie of the season.
Veteran goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa got the Most Disciplined Player award.
Wanderers players and officials will each get a minimum of K1 million for winning the Castel Challenge Cup.
Reserve side and women’s football players were also recognised.
