Giants face minnows in FDH Cup
The 2023 K120 million FDH Bank Cup draw has pitted giants FCB Nyasa Bullets, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Silver Strikers against regional league sides.
It also transpired during a draw conducted at Football Association of Malawi’s (Fam) Mpira House yesterday that three TNM Super League sides would face each other in the tournament which starts next month.
Champions Bullets will be at home against Ndirande Stars with Wanderers playing Mpondasi away while Silver will host Ntaja United.
Blue Eagles host Red Lions whereas Karonga United will play Kamuzu Barracks.
In another all Super League fixture, Chitipa United will be at home against Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar.
Fam Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said the organizing committee has the final say as regards match venues.
“It is not automatic that home teams will play at venues they regard as their home grounds. The organizing committee will first assess the venues. All teams that joined this cup are fully aware of Article 8 of the rules governing this year’s competition. We in the organising committee have powers to select match venues. We will even disregard a venue chosen by a home team due to commercial or football reasons.
Zakazaka said they expect a tough competition this year after the stakes were upped from K90 million to K120 million, with the winner taking home K30 million from last year’s 25 million.
Ndirande Technical Director Mike Lampu vowed to give Bullets a run for their money in the round-of-16 tie.
“We may be a small team yes but we will match Bullets on the pitch. We will fight till the last drop of our blood. Be assured that they will not find it easy against us,” Lampu said.
The competition kicks off on June 17.
Full results of the draw are as follows:
Leyman Panthers Civil Service United
Karonga United Kamuzu Barracks
Moyale Barracks Iponga
Silver Ntaja
Blue Eagles Red Lions
Bullets Ndirande
Mpondas Wanderers
Mafco Ekwendeni Hard Knockers
Mbabzi Utd Ntopwa
Extreme St Gabriel
Ikwaiweni Tafika Bangwe All Stars
Chitipa Utd Dedza Dynamos
Balaka Chilumba Barracks
Santhe Admarc Mighty Tigers
Airborne Rangers Ekwendeni Hammers
Mayamiko Stars Zingwangwa Utd
Peter Fote is a Sports Journalist with huge experience in radio and Television reporting, production and presentation. He once worked with Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and is currently working for Times Media Group.
