The draw for the preliminary stage of this year’s MTN FA Cup threw up some interesting fixtures, including an exciting local derby between Bolga Man City and Bolga All Stars.
The new chairman of the FA Cup Committee (FACC), Joseph Yaw Appiah, advised clubs at yesterday’s draw at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) secretariat to desist from acts that would demean the competition.
He said: “I would like to commend the FACC for the good work done over the past four seasons. I hope to work hard to maintain and improve the standards of the competition.
“All clubs involved in the competition should desist from actions that will present the competition in a bad light. I wish them the best in the competition,” he said.
Other games slated for January 28, 31 and February 1 will see Africa United battling Tamale All Stars, Tamale Utrecht versus Tumu United, Paga Crocodile Stars versus Galaxy FC, 77 Stars clash with Twendy United, former Premier League side Real Tamale United welcome Mighty Rocks, Guan United host Mantanbu Nationals and Glory Stars FC play Rockets FC in ties involving clubs from Zone 1A Divisions 1 and 2.
Other ties in Zone 1B Divisions 1 and 2 will see Sunyani Reformers versus Prof Quarm FC, Japekrom Mpesuasuman host Sunyani Liberty Youth, Tano Bofoakwa versus Berlin FC, while Hwidiem Ahafoman battle the winner of the game between Esperance and Dynamos. Kenyase FC play Amajande FC, Tamale FC engage Berekum Arsenal, Unity FC face Wenchi United and Kintampo Marcos FC welcome Techiman City.
The fixtures for the games involving teams form Zone 2A Division 1 and 2 involve Adehye Stars versus Gold Stars, FC Samosa battling King Faisal, Cornerstone contesting Tumu City FC, Achichen FC against Dunkwa United, Little Barcelona engaging Starke FC, New York FC hosting Deportivo, Kintenchren United playing AC Milan, Nimabe FC welcoming Tarkwa United, Wassaman United vying for honours against Proud United and Dumas FC versus Venomous Vipers.
Samartex will play Metro FC, Windy Professionals will engage Ebusua Dwarfs, Cape Coast Strikers will engage Great Astronomers, Oswaka FC versus Elmina Sharks, Eleven Wise battling Efutu Great Kingdy and Fijai Real United hosting Soccer Intellectuals.
The pairings for teams in the Zone 3 Divisions 1 and 2 will see former champions Nania FC engage former top-flight side Sporting Mirren, D’International host Tema Youth, Emmanuel FC versus Dawhenya United, Lenient FC versus Afienya City FC, Danbort FC welcome Mighty Jets, Dreams FC versus Charity Stars in a repeat of last season’s clash, La Faith FC clash with Prestige FC, and Susubiribi versus Denkyenbour FC.
In the fixtures for clubs from Zone 3B Divisions 1 and 2 involves Kade United battling Hearts of Eagles, Roberto FC against Real Athletico, Hot Steel versus Anthonia Sportive, Dynamos against Okwawu United, Amidaus Professionals hosting Kotoko Royals, Istanbul Royals welcoming Pure Joy FC, King Solomon playing Fire FC and Predators FC battling Birim DC United.
A representative of the headline sponsor MTN, Franklin Sowah, said the decision to sponsor the FA Cup was motivated by the desire to develop sports, especially football, which he described as the passion of the nation.
