The 2016 Carlsberg Cup goes into the round of 16 from Wednesday 3rd August 2016 as teams continue battling for the K12 million grand prize.
In a typical knockout cup that pairs giants and minors, the tournament has already witnessed shocking results with three elite league teams eliminated by lower league sides.
Max Bullets were the first giant to face the chop when they lost 2-1 to Northern Region Football League side Zolozolo FC. Mzuni FC lost to a Central Region League side Warm Heart Bullets FC while a Southern Region League side Prison United completed the round of 32 David vs. Goliath series with a 1-0 win over Epac FC.
The lower league sides look more determined to emulate Zomba United FC achievement of a rare final appearance in the Carlsberg Cup by a non-Super League side in 2014 and more shocking results are expected in the round of 16 and beyond.
There are seven non-Super League sides in the round of 16 and with two ties involving all lower league sides, the minors are a guaranteed of at least two places in the Quarterfinals.
The chase for the golden boot, that comes with a K200,000.00 prize money, is also getting stiffer as goals continue to flow from all angles. So far 134 goals have been scored from 47 matches.
Despite that his team Ginnery Corner FC were eliminated in the second round of the Regional Preliminaries, Dan Dzinkambani joins Prison United Striker Lawson Chilewe as joint leading scorer with five goals. Chilewe has the chance to extend his tally when his team face Zomba United in the Round of 16 on Saturday. William Salama (Bontect) Gift Moliha (Chimbalanga FC) Dan Dzinkambani (Ginnery Corner FC) Collen Mkhambule (Mzuzu United) have scored three goals each and at two goals there are 16 players but only Chiukepo Msowoya (Nyasa Big Bullets) Diouf Simmaone (Kamuzu Barracks) Chisomo Mbodzani (Civo Youth) Azizi Pindani (Zomba United) and Willy Sitole (Warm Heart Bullets) have a chance to increase their tally as their teams are still in the competition.
Carlsberg Cup Statistics
Matches Played: 47
Goals scored: 134
Biggest victory: Regional Phase: 0 Prison United 8 (Second Round)
National Phase: Kamuzu Barracks 7 Msundwe 0 (Round of 32)
Most goals in a game: 8 goals Bontec 5 Nanzikambe 3 (First Round) 0 Prison United 8 (Second Round)
Most goals in a game scored by player: Lawson Chilewe 4 goals- Bontec 0 Prison 8
GOAL SCORERS
5 goals- Dan Dzinkambani (Ginnery Corner Stars) Lawson Chilewe (Prison United)
3 – William Salama (Bontect) Gift Moliha (Chimbalanga FC) Dan Dzinkambani (Ginnery Corner FC) Collen Mkhambule (Mzuzu United)
2 – Chiukepo Msowoya (Nyasa Big Bullets) Diof Simaone (Kamuzu Barracks) Chisomo Mbodzani (Civo Youth) Andrew Kajawa(Bontec FC) Ronald Mwanda (Nanzikambe) Masa Banda(Prison United) Vincent Chabvi( Prison United) Richard Nthala (Ginnery Corner)Ephraim Chiumia (Zolozolo FC) Mphatso Philemon (Msundwe) Willy Sitole (Warm Heart Bullets) Wanangwa Kumwenda ( Area 12 Stars)James Francis (Cobbe Barracks) Wiliam Chuma( Cobbe Barracks),
ROUND of 16 FIXTURES
Thursday 4th August 2016
Nyasa Big Bullets vs. Azam Tigers @ Kamuzu Stadium
Saturday 6th August 2016
Moyale vs. Mafco @ Mzuzu Stadium
Silver Strikers vs. Zolozolo @ Silver Stadium
Warm Heart Bullets vs. Mangochi Police @ Nakhaka
Wizards FC vs. Mzuzu United @ MDC Stadium
Sunday 7th August 2016
Civo Youth vs. Red Lions @ Civo Stadium
Zomba United vs. Prison United @ ZACC
Wednesday 10th August
Mighty Wanderers vs. Kamuzu Barracks @ Kamuzu Stadium
