Andrew Mdzumira 

The Champions Cup committee in Mponela Dowa has disqualified the Salima based football team Likumbo in this year’s ongoing tournament for failing to fulfil their fixture without providing proper reasons.

A statement released by the Champions Cup committee signed by its general secretary Pilirani Chibwana indicates that Ekhaya FC from Southern Region Football Association Thumbs Up league has been awarded a win with two goals and qualified for the semifinals of the tournament. 

“According to  Champions Cup rules, section 8.8 which says, the team that fails to fulfil a fixture without any just cause shall have the match forfeited,” reads part of the statement.  

At first, Likumbo FC informed the Champions Cup committee that the team will not be able to travel to Mponela to play against Ekhaya in the quarterfinal match because of the fuel crisis that has affected the country but the request was denied by the committee. 

Ekhaya has become the first team to qualify into the semi-final of the K20 Million Champions Cup.