FAM revives FA Cup with knockout format
The Football Association of Malawi will launch a new national cup competition involving teams from all levels of Malawian football.
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) announced plans to launch a new national FA Cup competition, played on a knockout basis. FAM revealed the competition details through a press release on November 11, with the full package to be unveiled on November 20. This introduction follows Castel Malawi Limited's decision not to renew sponsorship for the Ibongetse Castel Challenge Cup and FDH Bank plc's shift of its sponsorship to the top-flight league.
FAM spokesperson Collins Nsuza stated the cup aims to be a flagship national knockout competition and a strategic platform for football development, talent identification, club growth, and commercial opportunities. The competition will include teams from the FDH Bank Premiership, National Division League, regional leagues, and district leagues. For the current season, participation is limited to 16 FDH Bank Premiership teams, 12 second-tier league sides, top teams from regional leagues, and district league champions due to time constraints.
The FA Cup will feature a regional preliminary phase, with district league champions and regional league teams joining National Division League teams for playoffs to determine 16 national phase qualifiers. The 16 Premiership teams will enter the draw from the round of 32. Football analysts George Chiusiwa and Parry Chinyama welcomed the development, noting it will bolster the football package and provide much-needed exposure for teams, especially in the elite tier.