Mbeya City Makes History in FA Cup Quarterfinals

Mbeya City Makes History in FA Cup Quarterfinals

Mbeya City has etched its name in Tanzanian football history by becoming the first Championship League team to reach the quarterfinals of the Federation Cup (FA) this season. The team secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Mtibwa Sugar on March 13 at the Sokoine Stadium in Mbeya.

This achievement is particularly remarkable as only six teams managed to advance to the Round of 16 this season—a stark contrast to the 2023-2024 campaign when no Championship League side progressed beyond the Round of 32, with all being eliminated at either the Round of 64 or 32.

Mbeya City’s success mirrors the record set by Pamba Jiji in the 2021-2022 season, the last Championship League team to reach the FA Cup quarterfinals before bowing out to Simba SC with a 4-0 defeat.

Rising Underdogs in the FA Cup

The 2022-2023 FA Cup saw four Championship League teams reach the Round of 16: JKT Tanzania (now in the Premier League), Green Warriors, African Sports, and Pan Africans. However, this season has surpassed that record, with six Championship League teams making it to the knockout rounds. Alongside Mbeya City, the other five teams in the Round of 16 were Mtibwa Sugar, Mbeya Kwanza, Stand United, Bigman FC, and Songea United.

Sahare All Stars, a Tanga-based team, still holds the distinction of being the only Championship League side to reach the semifinals of the FA Cup. Their impressive 2020-2021 run ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat to Namungo FC, famously known as the "Southern Killers."

Upcoming Fixtures and Key Clashes

With Mbeya Kwanza also exiting after a 3-0 loss to JKT Tanzania, only four Championship League teams remain in the tournament. The upcoming Round of 16 fixtures will be crucial in determining which underdog teams can continue their impressive runs.

• March 26: Stand United vs. Giraffe Academy (Shinyanga)
• March 27: Simba SC vs. Bigman FC
• March 28: Tabora United vs. Kagera Sugar
• March 29: Yanga SC vs. Songea United
• March 29: Mashujaa FC vs. Pamba Jiji (Kigoma)

These decisive encounters will set the stage for the quarterfinals, where teams will battle for a spot in the tournament’s final rounds.

Mbeya City’s journey is a testament to the growing competitiveness of Tanzania’s Championship League, proving that lower-division teams can challenge and upset top-tier opponents in knockout competitions.