By Aubrey Sumbuleta BBC Sport, Blantyre

Muluzi sponsors both Bakili Bullets and the Malawian league

Malawi President Bakili Muluzi says his club Bakili Bullets is growing into one of the biggest footballing sides in Africa.

Muluzi made his bold announcement following Bullets' 2-1 victory against SC Villa of Uganda in the first leg of the Champions League preliminary round matches.

"My dream to make Bakili Bullets the biggest club in Africa is getting results following your outstanding performance in the Champions League," Mulizi told his team on Tuesday.

Muluzi was treating the players to a luncheon at Sanjika Palace, the presidential villa, in Malawi's commercial capital Blantyre following their victory.

The president told his squad he will pump more money into the club so as to make it one of the richest on the continent.

Muluzi, who took over the sponsorship and ownership of the club last year, gave Bakili Bullets US$50,000 to allow the team to travel to Uganda for the return match against Villa next weekend.

Each one of the victorious team players also received US$500 cash from the president, and team captain Peter Mponda promised the president Bullets will win the return match to qualify for the next round of the Champions League.

Muluzi, who retires from the presidency in two months time, is a devoted football lover who has sponsored the Malawi league champions at a cost of some US$150,000 over the last five years.

He has also promised to construct a stadium for the club.

Muluzi also sponsors the Malawi premier league to a tune of US$150,000 and the league is thus known as the Bakili Muluzi Super League.