Violence-free Carlsberg Cup excites sponsors
Carlsberg Cup sponsors Castel Malawi have expressed delight at the absence of violence in this year’s edition that concluded on Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Castel Malawi managing director Gilles Leclerc made the statement after the finals that saw Masters Security FC taking the ultimate glory following a 5-4 post-match penalty victory over Be Forward Wanderers after a one-all draw.
The 2018 contest was the seventh edition and the previous versions had, in one way or the other, been embroiled in some spate of violence and hooliganism.
“I am happy to see that during the Carlsberg Cup this year, there has not been any report of violence and this is encouraging to Castel Malawi,” he said.
“It is also interesting to see a new team such as Masters Security, which was considered as an underdog, making it all the way to the finals and eventually becoming champions.”
Leclerc added it is even more satisfying to note that the non-violence in the competition comes as the Carlsberg brand marks 50 years of existence on the Malawi market.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions manager Gomezgani Zakazaka yesterday commended football stakeholders, especially fans, clubs and match officials, for making sure the 2018 edition was memorable.
“It is motivating to see that all the 31 Carlsberg Cup games at national level ended peacefully. There was no violence among fans and we did not have complaints about match officiation,” he said.
Masters, who defeated last year’s champions Nyasa Big Bullets in the semi-finals through post-match penalties, are the first team to win the Carlsberg Cup in their debut appearance while Wanderers were playing their fifth consecutive final.
Saturday’s Carlsberg Cup final started with a trophy parade by the Police Brass Band from the Clock Tower up to the stadium. MDF skydivers also spiced up the event as they jumped from a helicopter on to the pitch where Carlsberg Cup brand ambassador Gerald Phiri Jnr presented the trophy.
