The preliminary-round draw for the 2026/27 MTN FA Cup has produced a series of intriguing matchups, with regional rivalries, former Ghana Premier League sides and ambitious lower-division clubs set for early tests in the knockout competition.
The draw was conducted on Tuesday, pairing Division One and Division Two League clubs in the preliminary round, while all 18 Ghana Premier League clubs have been exempted and will enter the competition at the Round of 64.
Among the standout fixtures are the Bono derby between Victory Club Warriors FC and Eleven Wonders FC, the Northern showdown involving Real Tamale United and Yapei United, and the Eastern Region clash between Okwawu United FC and Kotoku Royals FC.
Regional rivalries headline preliminary round
Victory Club Warriors and Eleven Wonders will renew regional rivalry in Group 1 in a contest between two clubs with Ghana Premier League experience.
Both sides will be eager to make progress in the competition, with Victory Club Warriors seeking to capitalise on their investment in the squad and Eleven Wonders targeting a return to the top flight.
Group 2 will feature a Northern derby between Real Tamale United and Yapei United. RTU’s strong following in Tamale is expected to add interest to the fixture as both teams battle for regional bragging rights and a place in the next round.
Another Group 2 encounter will see Tamale City FC face Wa Power SC in a meeting between sides that impressed in Division One football last season. Tamale City will be hoping to turn their recent progress into a strong cup campaign after narrowly missing out on Premier League promotion.
In Group 9, Okwawu United will host Kotoku Royals in an Eastern Region derby between two clubs with experience in Ghana’s top flight.
Great Olympics, King Faisal face early tests
Former Premier League side Great Olympics will begin their campaign against MSK Zilina FC in Group 8 following their relegation from the top flight last season.
The fixture will pit a club with considerable Ghanaian football experience against an academy side seeking to make its mark in the competition.
Also in Group 8, Accra Lions FC will face John Paintsil FC. Accra Lions will be looking to make a strong start, drawing on their reputation for developing young talent.
King Faisal FC, another established name in Ghanaian football, will take on Pro Sports Academy in Group 5, while Ebony FC face Nations FC in a separate fixture in the same group.
Finalists Golden Kick face Attram De Visser
One of the notable fixtures will see Golden Kick SC take on Attram De Visser in Group 8.
Golden Kick, who reached last season’s MTN FA Cup final, will be aiming to build on that run, but Attram De Visser will be determined to make their own statement in the knockout competition.
Elsewhere, Sefwi All Stars FC will host Skyy FC in a Western Region derby in Group 7. Skyy FC, who competed in the Premier League two seasons ago, will face a home side hoping to use familiar surroundings to secure progression.
With the preliminary round featuring clubs from the lower divisions, the fixtures offer emerging teams an opportunity to challenge established names and move closer to the latter stages of the competition.
The 18 Ghana Premier League clubs will join the tournament at the Round of 64, when the competition is expected to widen and the challenge for the MTN FA Cup title intensifies.
