FDH bank cup Format out
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has unveiled the format for the inaugural K90 million FDH Bank Cup which is expected to kick off this month.
The cup, which will be played for four months between May and September, will see 16 Super League clubs and 62 teams from regional leagues—20 from Southern Region, 18 from the Centre and 14 from the North—battling it out.
Regional league teams will play in regional championships to kick off on May 29 to identify 16 teams, six each from the South and Centre and four from the North.
The regional teams will then join the 16 Super League teams for a national draw to be held on June 9 with top eight teams from the 2021 TNM Super League first round seeded.
The round of 16 will kick off on July 24 while quarter-finals are pencilled for August 7-8.
The semi-finals will be played on the weekenf of August 21-22 with the grand final set for September 25.
During a briefing at FAM’s Mpira Village in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, the association’s general secretary Alfred Gunda said only players registered through FAM’s Mpira Connect are eligible for the cup.
“Mpira Connect registration is a must. Players to feature in the competition must have an active Mpira Connect registration,” he said.
FDH Bank plc marketing manager Ronald Chimchere said the bank is excited that the cup is now set to kick off, 18 months after it was unveiled in 2019.
He said: “ We are very excited. As you are aware, we are still in a mood of celebrating the Flames’ Afcon [Africa Cup of Nations] qualification. This is the best time to kick off FDH Bank Cup.
“We have been part of football history. And we are happy to be here. We hope this cup will help in developing football in the country.
“This will provide an opportunity for players from different areas to showcase their talent. Clubs will also be able to scout for players. We are hoping that FDH Cup will also improve the level of competition.”
The draw for the cup’s preliminary round will be held on May 18 and matches will be played between May 29 and 13 June.
Champions will pocket K25 million, runners-up K8 million, semi-finalists K2 million and quarter-finalists K1 million.
Regional teams, which will make it to the national level, will get K500 000 each.
The top scorer, best goalkeeper and player of the tournament will each get K200 000.
There will also be man of the match awards from semi-finals to attract K50 000 prize money. FDH discovery of the season will also be decorated.
