Its ‘Zamadolo’ yet again. A theme that is synonymous with class that the Airtel Malawi brings through the Top 8 Cup has been maintained as teams are set to battle from this weekend for the honors.
Airtel Malawi has maintained the ‘Zamadolo’ theme with high quality jerseys in set for the eight teams this season as the battle for MK17 Million is now in full view.
According to Airtel Malawi Managing Director, Charles Kamoto, the theme has been maintained continues to blend quite well with their goal of unearthing talent and bringing to light a tight competition.
“As sponsors, we are not changing the theme because it’s very massive and it fits well with the type of competition which is only participated by top eight teams. Last season, we experienced exciting football where we saw 28 goals scored, beating the previous season’s 12 goals in the same eleven games and that is the spirit we seek to see this time around,” he said.
Kamoto said the company was excited that some players identified in last year’s competition were part of the Malawi national football team that took part at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking to MIJ Online later on, FAM Vice president Jabbar Alide, who is also competitions chairperson, said he is expecting this year’s competition to surpass what was achieved last year.
“Our expectations this year are very high. Last year, Zamadolo edition brought us best top 8 ever. This year, we look to raise the bar further in terms of broadcasting, fan engagement and we think we will exceed what we achieved last year,” he explained.
The FA has also revealed that the competition this year will be livestreamed through matches on FIFA Plus Portal to all FIFA members.
‘’ This will expose the matches all over for the people who are interested in scouting and they will also be able to see how passionate our fans are. For Airtel, we are exposing the brand to the world and for FAM, how organized we are as an association. This is beneficial across the board, ‘’ said Alide.
FAM President Walter Nyamilandu could not hide his excitement over the quality jerseys in place and the anticipation for the competition this year.
“As you can feel, we are happy that Airtel top 8 is back. We want to end year with a bang and the best we can do is to safeguard the sponsors. We will have winners and losers, let’s accept results and promote fair play. We are happy that the sponsorship is yielding the desired results and it’s adding value to football in terms of entertaining our supporters, nurturing young talent and also helping Airtel brand on and off the pitch,” said Nyamilandu.
According to FAM, a total of 11 matches will be played and that the quarterfinals will be played in a home and away basis where goal aggregate and away goal rules shall apply while the semifinals and final matches will be played in a single fixture.
This year, unlike the previous years, the FA drew the teams in order of how the rounded off the first round of the top tier league to guide the quarterfinal matches.
On Saturday, holders Nyasa Big Bullets will be at Kamuzu Stadium playing host to Karonga United in the Quarterfinal First leg at the Kamuzu Stadium.
Twenty-four hours later, at the same venue Mighty Mukuru Wanderers will face Mafco.
The fixture list indicates that, next week Silver Strikers will play Kamuzu Barracks at a venue yet to be announced by FAM while Blue Eagles will open the campaign against Dedza Dynamos.
