Giants kept apart in Presidential Cup first round
Giants have been kept apart in the 2012 edition of the Presidential Football Cup conducted on Tuesday at Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Offices in Chiwembe.
The draw, which was led by FAM’s Sugzo Nyirenda, saw teams in the Super League drawn with less fancied teams from the districts.
For instance, Big Bullets will have to travel to Rumphi, where they will face Ngonga FC while their rivals Mighty Wanderers were handed a tricky fixture against Bvumbwe Research in an away encounter. Bvumbwe Research is being bankrolled by former Nomads chairman James Chuma.
The Capital City giants, Silver Strikers will open this year’s Presidential assignment with Zomba based Complex Madrid
Civo United will host Cobbe Barracks in Lilongwe.
In Mzuzu, it will be a city affair, as City Glass will meet Moyale Barracks.
Azam Tigers have been paired with Zomba Prison in a game which will take place in the old capital city.
However, if Big Bullets overcome Ngonga and Silver managed to dispose off Madrid, the two giants could face each other in the quarter finals in Blantyre.
Silver, installed as the favourites to win this year’s competition, described the draw as good.
“We are not even shaken because we know we will beat Complex Madrid. What we want is to meet Big Bullets for the second time and hammer them so that they start respecting us,” said Dennis Kachikho an official of the bankers.
FAM’s commercial manager Casper Jangale said the draw was conducted “in a transparent manner and we do not think that any team will complain.”
Jangale also said that the winning team will go home with K10 million, while the loosing finalist will receive K5 million.
Teams who will make it into the Semi-Finals will receive K500, 000, as those that will cruise into the Quarter finals will get K250, 000.
FAM said it will communicate on the kick-off date.
Before the draw took place, there was a minute of silence in honour of the late President Bingu Wa Mutharika, who launched the cup early this year.
Presidential Football Cup 2012 Fixtures
1. Epac FC vs Chiradzulu United/ Chilomoni Socials.
2. Blue Eagles vs Hard Knockers FC/ Kapiri.
3. Civo United vs Cobbe Barracks.
4. Blantyre United vs Kilombero FC.
5. City Glass vs Moyale Barracks.
6. Bvumbwe Research vs Mighty Wanderers.
7. Green Rangers vs Escom United.
8. Complex Madrid vs Silver Strikers.
9. Mzuzu University vs Kasungu Police/ Hard Knockers/ Kapiri
10. Azam Tigers vs Prison United.
11. Mafco FC vs Blue Eagles Youth.
12. Sporting Leopards vs Red Lions.
13. Zomba United vs Embangweni United.
14. Ntayamoyo vs Chinkhwawa United.
15. Ngonga vs Big Bullets.
16. Super Eagles vs Envirom.
2nd Round Fixtures
1. Winners between A will meet Winners in B.
A B
-Zomba United/ Embangweni United vs Green Rangers/ Escom United.
-City Glass/ Moyale Barracks vs Azam Tigers/ Prison United.
-Super Eagles/ Envirom vs Mzuzu University, Kasungu Police, Hard
Knockers, Kapiri.
-Ngonga/ Big Bullets vs Complex Madrid/ Silver Strikers.
-Bvumbwe Research/ Mighty Wanderers vs Epac FC/ Chiradzulu, Chilomoni Socials.
-Civo United/ Cobbe Barracks vs Sporting Leopards/ Red Lions.
-Ntayamoto/ Chinkhwawa United vs Blue Eagles/ Hard Knockers, Kapiri.
