K3.8m-rich Absa Cup up for grabs

ABSA Bank Zambia has launched the K3.8 million Absa Cup championship which will see the top performers in the FAZ Super Division and the National Division One league face of in very intriguing fixtures.

According to the draws conducted yesterday, defending champions Zesco United will begin their defence with a quarter final tie against city rivals Forest Rangers. Kitwe giants Nkana will face Division One representatives Kitwe United in another local derby set for March 22 at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka.

Napsa, the 2012 Barclays Cup champions will play Kabwe Warriors with “Tonka Tweende” Green Eagles take on Young Green Eagles in a battle of the siblingss.

And speaking during the launch of the 14th edition of the Absa Cup, Minister of Sports Youth and Child Development Emmanuel Mulenga

hailed the bank for its commitment to contribute to the development of the Zambian game by sponsoring the biggest cup tournament in the country.

Mulenga said Government values Absa Banks’s effort to complement its efforts to in

vest in youths and football development.

“I stand here very delighted to see a corporate entity like Absa take a leading role in the promotion of Zambian football and other sports. I’m aware that the bank also sponsors the Absa Marathon, the Mkushi Golf Open and organises executive aerobics,” Mulenga said.

“Such initiative resonate well with Government’s desire to develop, implement and support youth sports activities for active youth participation for national development.”

Absa Managing Director Muzinga Melu said the bank remains committed to the development of football through the K3.8m investments in the 2020 Absa Cup.

And FAZ president Andrew Kamanga commended Absa for its continued investment in the Zambian game since 2007.

Meanwhile, Multichoice Zambia Chief Customer Officer Lear Kooma reaffirmed Super Sports commitment to televising the Absa Cup and the Super Division for the Zambian game to reach out to millions. Kooma said Super Sport has signed a partnership with FAZ to help contribute to the growth of the local game.

This year’s winners of the

Absa Cup will bank K600, 000, K100, 000 more than what Zesco United got last year while the runners up will get K250, 000.

Coach and player of the tournament will collect K20, 000 each while man of the match for each game will gett K10, 000.

– Picture by MICHAEL MIYOBA. Sports Minister Emmanuel Mulenga and Absa Bank Managing Director Muzinga Melu handover the Old Absa Cup to defending champions Zesco United coach George Lwandamina.