Defending champions FC Nania begin the defence of their MTN FA Cup diadem this weekend with a crunch tie against former Ghana champions Great Olympics. Oly, also a former winner of this competition but who now also play in the second tier league, play as hosts of Abedi Pele’s side in the preliminary stage of the 2011/12 event.
Their fixture is one of 48 ties involving Division One and Division Two League sides getting played over the week ending December 13 with the winners qualifying for the last 64 where the 16 Premier League sides are already waiting.
Nania defied the odds to claim last season’s competition, the first FA Cup in ten years, and are eyeing a repeat this season. They couldn’t have had any tougher draw for the first game of their defence than the wonder club Great Olympics.
But Abedi Pele tells ALL SPORTS his side are ready. “Winning the FA Cup was great. We waited 13 years for our first title and worked hard to reach this level. But the real work now begins because we have to prove that our win last season was no fluke. We also have Africa on our minds but we will continue to play beautiful football and hope to go all the way again,” Abedi has declared.
