Wanderers reverse decision of ‘pulling out’ of CAF: Malawi champions to play DRC’s Vita

Be Forward Wanderers have reversed its decision to withdraw from the Confideration of African Football (CAF) 2018 Champions League, saying they will proceed to face DR Congo’s AS Vita on February  11 in Kinshasa in a preliminary round first leg.

Wanderers had informed Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to notify CAF of their withdraw but swiftly reversed the decision after a shareholders meeting.

But the club general secretary Mike Butao said they are now proceeding with their preparations for CAF Champions league.

A withdraw could have handed Wanderers a ban from any intercontinental club competition in the next two years and attract a fine of K3.6million to CAF.

The club has been facing financial turmoil on their K98 million budget to play two preliminary round games on February 11 and 22 home and away plus strength testing matches.

The fundraising drive has been shambolic.

Their sponsors, Japanese car dealer Be Forward who agreed to meet 80 percent of the club’s annual budget want to contribute only 20 percent for the CAF budget.

Wanderers chairperson Gift Mkandawire confirmed that the team had not pulled out of the competition and was working on the internal wrangles.