KONDWANI KANDIADO

Central Region Football Association (CRFA) over the weekend held Castel Cup draw for the sixteen teams in the region to participate in the Castel cup scheduled to kick off soon.

Speaking after the draw which was conducted at Bingu National Stadium, CRFA treasurer Hestings Chilunga said he was impressed with how the draw has been conducted.

“We have teams from Division One and others from Premier Division. We should expect a stiff competition from the participating teams as no team in the competition can be underrated,” he said.

He also said he is optimistic that teams from the region will form part of the teams to compete at national level.

On his part, Chimbiya Stars assistant team manager Francisco Noel said preparations are underway ahead of league kickoff.

“The team we are meeting in the opening game is also a better side and we will have to prepare ourselves very well to get the maximum points,” he said.

In the opening matches, Qatar FC will play Shire-Wimbe while Santhe Admarc will battle it out with Sky view.

Lobi Young Soccer will play Mponela FC while Extreme FC has been lined up against Pyramid FC and Airborne Rangers will meet Salima Sparrows.

The draw has also seen Lumbadzi FC facing Simbi FC while Ng’wang’wazi FC will meet Mchinji Boma strikers and Luarnar FC will meet Chimbiya Stars.

Five teams will qualify to the next round and to qualify to the next round where winner 5 will face winner 1 and Winner 4 will meet winner 7 while winner 6 will face winner 3.

Winner 8 will battle it out with winner 2 and the best loser will be on position 5.

Last year, a team from Central Region Football Association, Panthers FC reached the semi- finals of the competition where it was booted out by Mighty Wanderers ( The Nomads) at Kamuzu stadium.