HARARE – Zimbabwean football champions Dynamos are mulling pulling out of next year’s edition of the African Champions League due to lack of funds.
The record 20-times champions clinched a third straight Castle Premiership title at the weekend on goal difference after beating Black Mambas 2-0.
The winner of Zimbabwe’s top-flight league gets $70 000 from the sponsor, Delta Beverages, but barely days after being crowned champions, Dynamos are already racing against time to meet the November 30 deadline set by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) for squad registration.
Caf announced through their official website at the weekend that teams that will play in next year’s inter-club competitions will have to meet this Saturday’s deadline to confirm their participation.
While showing their willingness to participate in the African Safari, Dynamos chairperson Kenny Mubaiwa told the Daily News that the club is reeling under financial challenges and will only communicate their decision to Zifa on Thursday.
The club is locked in negotiations with their premier sponsors, BancABC, and a new deal is expected to be announced soon.
Their initial three-year contract signed at the beginning of the 2011 season has expired, but both camps have showed a willingness to have the marriage extended albeit with a few adjustments.
“We really want to participate in the Champions League but we need assurance first from sponsors,” Mubaiwa said.
“We have written to our sponsors BancABC and we are waiting for their response. As you are aware, BancABC have been our sponsors for the past three years and negotiations are currently underway for the renewal of the deal.
“By Thursday we will be in a good position to see whether we will represent the country in the Champions League next year. What we need at the moment is assurance because as a club we don’t have money to fund the campaign.
“We want to commit ourselves then end forfeiting our matches because of lack of funds. We don’t want to be banned by Caf just like what happened to Highlanders.
“Our hope is pinned on BancABC, and I am sure by Thursday something will materialise.
“We had struggled in the previous years and we need to improve. There are a lot of things thus we need to look at before we can commit ourselves. Buying players and adequate preparations are some of them.”
The Glamour Boys have struggled in Africa’s premier club competition in recent times, failing to go past the preliminary stages in the last three years.