Malawi Super League outfit Silver Strikers’ decision to withdraw from the CAF Confederation Cup is likely to see them slapped with a fine and a ban from CAF tournaments.
The Bankers confirmed on Monday that they would not be taking part in this season’s CAF Confederation Cup because their current coach Daniel Kabwe doesn’t have the CAF A License required for a coach to sit on the bench during African football governing body’s organized matches.
The move will have consequences for the club and likely entail a two-year ban from all CAF competitions for the side.
“Silver Strikers FC would like to inform its supporters and the general public of its decision to withdraw from the CAF Confederations Cup. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) set CAF A Licence as a basic mandatory requirement for all head coaches and CAF B Licence for Assistant Coaches in the 2021/2022 CAF Inter-Clubs competitions, those who do not fulfill the requirement would not be allowed to be on the technical bench during matches,” the club said in on Monday.
“To conform to the requirements, Mr. McDonald Mtetemera was registered as Head Coach since he holds a CAF a Licence and Mr. Daniel Kabwe who holds a CAF B Licence and UEFS B Licence as his deputy. Recently, Mr. McDonald Mtetemera has been suspended pending investigations. His availability cannot be guaranteed until the matter is fully investigated and concluded.”
“Following the unforeseeable events surrounding our technical panel, it is with deep regret that the club’s Board of Directors has advised that the team withdraws from the tournament forthwith. We have made this decision having taken into account different options and their consequential events and the decision now outweighs the consequences.”
CAF are likely to make a statement regarding Silver Strikers’ decision at some stage, and up until then it remains to be seen whether the Bankers will formally send official communication to Cairo.
Silver had organized a training camp is Zambia where they had organized a series of friendlies, but now the plans remains in disarray.
The club’s management had presented their playing unit to CAF headquarters in Cairo together with $250 participation fees for every player.
Silver last took part in 2018 but were eliminated in the same stage after 4-3 loss to Ambere Sports Club of Gabon.
