Silver Strikers FC have withdrawn from participating in the 2021/2022 CAF Confederations Cup tournament.

According to a statement issued by the club and signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Thokozani Chimbali, the decision has been reached as the team’s head coach, Daniel Kabwe, does not have a CAF A licence as per required by CAF rules.

In a bid to meet CAF requirements, the Central Bankers registered Kabwe’s assistant McDonald Mtetemera to represent the club at the tournament as head coach.

But recently, the board of the club imposed a suspension on Mtetemera which is pending investigations leaving the team without a qualified coach as required by CAF rules and regulations.

Reads part of the statement: “The Confederations of African Football (CAF) set CAF A licence as a basic mandatory for all head coaches and CAF B Licence for Assistant Coaches in the 2021/2022 CAF Inter-Clubs competitions. Those who do not fulfil the requirement would not be allowed to be on the technical bench during the matches.

“Following 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.”

The statement concluded by saying that the Board has made this decision having taken into account different options and their consequential events.

According to CAF rules and regulations, Silver Strikers risk being fined about K2 million for withdrawing from the competition.