Introduction
The FDH Bank Cup is a National Knockout Cup organised by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM). It is sponsored by FDH Bank to the tune of K120 million. The 2023 Edition will be played for five months between May and September 2023
Participation
The FDH Challenge Cup will be participated by 16 Super League and 60 Regional Leagues Premier Division teams (22 from the South, 18 from the Centre and 20 from the North).
Format
The Cup will be played on knockout basis in the following phases:
Regional Leagues Preliminary: The Regional League teams will play in a regional championship in their respective regions to come up with 16 teams that will qualify for the national phase as follows:
- South 6
- Centre 5
- North 5
Qualified Teams for Preliminary Phase
South – Ndirande Stars, Mwanza United, Mwanza Stars, MDF Marine, Mpondasi FC, Changalume Barracks, FOMO, Nyasa Big Bullets Reserves, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Reserves, Tigers Reserves, White Eagles, Bangwe All Stars Reserves, Zomba Airbase, Prison United, Ntaja United, Ntaja Rangers, Mangochi United, Immigration, Zingwangwa United, Balaka FC, The Boyz, Ntopwa FC.
Centre: Carotyte Salima FC, Airborne Rangers FC, Santhe Admarc FC, Villa FC, Silver Strikers Reserves, Kamuzu Barracks Reserves, Panthers FC, Kamba FC, Namitete Zitha FC, Kawinga FC, Support Battalion, Mangoni Warriors, Ngolowindo FC, Mchinji Boma Strikers, Mkanda Youth, Simbi FC, TN Stars, Mbadzi United
North: Iponga FC, Baka City, Ekwendeni Hardnockers, Ekwaiweni Tafika Sports Academy, Mayamiko Stars, Nkhatabay Select, Embangweni United, Manyamula FC, Mzimba Young Bullets, Ekwendeni Hammers Reserves, Rumphi United, Chilumba Barracks, Kadona Stars, Mzimba United, Chintheche United, Euthini Pirates, Jenda United, Ekwendeni United, Mzuni FC, Raiply FC.
Draw Procedure
Southern Region
The South will have two rounds of matches to determine the six teams that will qualify for the National Phase.
Round 1
From the 22 participating teams, the top teams from the 2022 Thumbs Up SRFA League final ranking will be seeded from round one. This means this round will comprise of the remaining 20 teams who will play in a knockout format to identify the 10 teams that will qualify for the second round.
Round 2
The two seeded teams will join10 winners from round 1 and the 12 teams will battle it out for the six slots in the national draw.
Central Region
The Central Region will have two rounds of matches to determine the five teams that will qualify for the National Phase
Round 1
Top two teams from the 2022 Chipiku Stores SRFA League final ranking will be seeded from round 1. Since the winner (Extreme FC) were promoted to the
Super League, teams from position 2 and 3 were to be seeded but unfortunately, the third and fourth ranked teams (Luanar and Wimbe) are not taking part in the competition so teams number two number five (Silver Strikers Reserves and Mbabzi United) will be seeded. The remaining 16 teams will play in the first round to identify Eight teams to qualify for the second round.
Round 2
The Eight round one winners will join the seeded two teams to play in round two to identify the final Five teams to qualify for the national phase.
Northern Region
The Northern Region will have two rounds of matches to determine the five teams that will qualify for the National Phase
Round 1
All the 20 teams will play in the first round to identify 10 teams to qualify for the second round.
Round 2
The 10 first round winners play in round two to identify the final Five teams to qualify for the national phase.
Each of the 16 qualifying teams from the Regional Leagues will receive K700,000.00 and a uniform ball each.
The Preliminary Round draw will take place on Friday 28th April 2023 and matches will be played between 6 and 21 May 2023.
For further information please contact:
FAM Competitions Department
Email: competitions@fam.mw
Phone: 0999/888 436391