By Chisomo Phiri
Mighty Wanderers Football Club (2021) Limited, the owners of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Football Club have announced that they will not participate in any international tournament this season.
In a statement signed by Board Chairman, Chancy Gondwe and Acting Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Roosevelt Mpinganjira the Club says their focus this season is to redevelop the squad before deciding to participate in an international competition.
“The Club will not participate in this year’s tournaments as we are busy with the redevelopment of the squad.
“We have decided to defer international participations to ensure that we fully develop the squad before we consider competing in such tournaments.
“It is better we compete than just participate for the sake of it.
“The members of the general public and all our stakeholders are also informed that the Club is at the moment developing its strategic plan for the next 10 years which is a long-term plan both technically and commercially. This is in line with our vision of developing Wanderers as a going concern,” reads the statement in part.
In December this year, the Club’s President, Thomson Mpinganjira told Nation Publications Limited that they had interest in participating in the tournament that they played for the last time in 2018.
“Participation in such tournament (Caf Inter Clubs)has to be earned, as such, we had to wait until the Airtel Top 8 final. We shall endeavour to participate, but at this stage, we will look at the numbers. It will be a great exposure for us all, including Mukuru across the continent,” said Mpinganjira after winning the Airtel Top-8 Cup.
Following Wanderers’ decision, only FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are reportedly willing to participate in the tournaments.
Blue Eagles and Kamuzu Barracks also showed the interests earlier this season.
The last time Wanderers played in the Caf Inter Clubs was in 2018 when they were beaten 6-1 on aggregate by AS Vita Club of DRC.