Five teams from the northern region have booked their places in the national knockout stage of the FDH Bank Cup after registering wins in their respective matches over the weekend.
The five are Ekwendeni Hammers Reserve, Ekwaiweni Tafika Sports Academy, Chilumba Barracks, Mayamiko Stars and Iponga FC.
This comes as frosting on a cake for the Ekwendeni Hammers Reserve who have recently secured a 3-year sponsorship deal worth 7.2 million kwacha a year with Lube Masters and Accessories Company.
Playing under a new name Lube Masters FC, the team knocked out their neighbors Ekwendeni Hardknockers 4-1.
The Hardknockers failed to build on their convincing 4-0 win against Rumphi United in the first round on post-match penalties after their game ended in a 1-all draw in regular time.
Ekwaiweni Tafika Sports Academy also progressed to the national stage of the Cup on post-match penalties, defeating Embangweni United 4-2 after a goalless draw while Chilumba Barracks comfortably knocked out Chintheche United with a 2-0 win.
Mayamiko Stars fresh from knocking out Mzimba United with a 2-goal margin, earned their place in the national round following a 2-1 win against Raiply FC, while Iponga FC knocked out Mzimba based Euthini Pirates by a goal to nil.
The five teams will wait for the national draw to know their opponents.
Meanwhile the teams now shift their focus to the Simso-Innobuild Premier League after a two week break that kept them busy with the FDH Cup assignments.
In the Simso-Innobuild Premier League fixture
Iponga FC will face Chilumba Barracks on Friday before facing Rumphi United on Sunday while after playing against Iponga on Friday, Chilumba Barracks will face Chipolopolo FC in their other fixture.
Ekwendeni Hammers Reserve will first play Kadona Stars before playing Chintheche United on Sunday while Mayamiko Stars will go to Chintheche on Friday before playing Chihame All Stars on Sunday.
Ekwaiweni Tafika Sports Academy will play Ekwendeni Hardknockers on Friday before welcoming Luwinga United on Sunday.
In other fixtures Euthini Pirates will play Ekwendeni United on Friday, Jenda United will face Manyamula United while Raiply FC will welcome Embangweni United.
Action will continue on Sunday with a Karonga derby between Songwe Border United and Baka City, Nkhata Bay Select will welcome Kadona Stars, Euthini Pirates will go to Ekwendeni Hardknockers. Mzuni FC will play Ekwendeni United, Mzimba Young Bullets will face Manyamula FC, Embangweni United will play Jenda United and Raiply FC will welcome Mzimba United
