Airtel unveils Top 8 theme
Airtel Malawi plc, sponsors of Airtel Top 8, yesterday unveiled the tagline Zamadolo Izi as the theme for the fourth edition of the competition at Football Association of Malawi (FAM) offices at Mpira Village in Chiwembe, Blantyre.
The theme is designed to resonate with the competition’s format as it involves TNM Super League’s top eight teams.
The theme is a departure from the initial one of Ipatse Moto which Airtel managing director Charles Kamoto presented at the contract signing ceremony in June.
Speaking during the event, Kamoto said Zamadolo Izi theme is about the best of the best.
He said: “I recall when we were doing the signing ceremony in June we talked about what today will be like. I know there was Ipatse Moto on the Flames and I said we are going to grab that one.
“We knew a day would come and we would tell you what [the theme] will be all about. A number of things have happened and we kept on assessing what the theme should be.
“We thought it would not be a bad idea to rethink the effects of what we have been doing all along in the top eight. So we are going to the basics and we are saying Zamadolo Izi.”
FAM president Walter Nyamilandu said the theme reflects the impact of Airtel football sponsorship.
He said: “Airtel has honoured us. To be associated with a big brand like Airtel is not a joke. You have grown our equity by far. Just to have this sponsorship from Airtel is very significant to the game of football. We are respected because of who is close to us.”
Meanwhile, the quarter-finals’ first legs kick off tomorrow with Nyasa Big Bullets hosting Salima-based Mafco at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The second match of the competition will see Mighty Wanderers hosting Moyale Barracks at the same venue on Sunday.
Two-time winners defending champions Silver Strikers will begin their title defence with a home tie against TN Stars of Kasungu at Nankhaka ground on November 13.
Civil Service United (Civo) and Karonga United will wrap up the quarter-final first legs phase at Civo Stadium on November 14.
In the return leg, Moyale will play Wanderers on November 20 at a venue to be communicated later while Mafco will host Bullets at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota the following day.
Karonga Stadium will then host the Karonga United versus Civo on November 27.
The semi-finals will be played on December 11-12 while the final is scheduled for December 18.
TN Stars will take on Silver at Kasungu Stadium the following day.
Airtel Malawi plc in July announced the return of the competition with an increased sponsorship from K198 million to K234 million for the next three years.
The sponsorship hike will se the champions taking home K17 million up from K15 million. The competition did not take place last year due Covid-19 pandemic
