The quarterfinal line-up of the K20 million Champion Cup will be complete after the round-of-16 match between Young Talent Mapokezi and Chatoloma Admarc at Champion Stadium, Mponela, Dowa District Sunday.
The winner of the crunching tie will join Silver Strikers Reserve, Chisomo Academy, Villa FC, Ekhaya United, Mbabzi United, Blue Eagles and Likumbo FC.
Chatoloma acting Team Manager Isaac Muyaba, who also doubles as coach, said they are ready for the match.
“Of course we had a league match against Leyman Panthers on Tuesday which ended 1-1 and several of our players came out with some knocks. But their recovery has been good and I believe they will be fit for selection.
“We know Mapokezi from some time back when we used to meet them in Division One [of the Central Region Football Association League]. So there is some element of familiarity between the two teams. This is what will make the match exciting,” Muyaba said.
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Mapokezi General Secretary Aaron Nsona said they are looking forward to securing a quarterfinal slot.
“We are taking this match seriously. Our players are hungry for success and they just can’t wait to get the job done. We are using this competition to prepare ourselves for a return to Division One. So we are ready,” Nsona said.
He said the team, which is based at Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa District and has both Malawian and foreign players, pulled out of the league due to financial constraints.
“But we are putting our act together and things are working out. So our plan is to return to league football next season,” Nsona said.
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Champion Cup will have new champions this year after holders Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Reserve were booted in the round-of-32 courtesy of a 1-0 loss to Dowa Hammers.
Wanderers Reserve won last year’s edition of the cup after a 1-0 win over Kalonga Rovers.
