2026/27 MTN FA Cup: Bono and Northern derbies headline preliminary round draw

The preliminary round of the 2026/27 MTN FA Cup has been drawn, setting up several intriguing encounters between former Ghana Premier League clubs and ambitious lower-division sides.

The draw was held at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) headquarters on Tuesday, with Division One and Division Two League clubs set to battle for places in the next round.

The 18 Ghana Premier League clubs have been exempted from the preliminary round and will enter the competition at the Round of 64.

One of the standout ties is the Bono derby between Victory Club Warriors FC and Eleven Wonders FC in Group One.

Both sides have previously featured in the Ghana Premier League, with Victory Club Warriors investing heavily ahead of the new campaign and Eleven Wonders determined to secure a return to the top flight.

Group Two also promises excitement, with Real Tamale United facing Yapei United in a Northern derby, while Tamale City FC take on Wa Power SC in another potentially tight contest.

Real Tamale United, who boast a strong following in Tamale, will be eager to assert their regional dominance against Yapei United.

Tamale City, meanwhile, will be looking to recover from narrowly missing out on Premier League promotion last season when they face a Wa Power SC side that impressed in the lower divisions.

In Group Nine, former Premier League sides Okwawu United FC and Kotoku Royals FC will meet in an Eastern Region derby, with both clubs hoping to use the competition as a platform to revive their fortunes.

Group Five will see King Faisal FC begin their campaign against Pro Sports Academy, while Ebony FC face a challenging test against Nations FC.

Former Premier League side Great Olympics FC will return to FA Cup action with a Group Eight tie against Msk Zilina FC, an academy side regarded for its emerging talent.

Accra Lions FC, another club with recent Premier League experience, will face John Paintsil FC in the same group as they seek to make progress in the competition.

There is also a Western Region derby in Group Seven, where Sefwi All Stars FC will enjoy home advantage against Skyy FC, who were in the Premier League just two seasons ago.

Last season's finalists Golden Kick SC will face Attram De Visser in another eye-catching Group Eight fixture.

Golden Kick will be hoping to build on their impressive cup run from the previous campaign, while Attram De Visser will look to their academy pedigree to produce an upset.

With several regional rivalries and clashes between experienced clubs and emerging sides, the preliminary round is expected to provide an exciting start to the 2026/27 MTN FA Cup.

The competition offers lower-division teams an opportunity to make their mark before the Ghana Premier League clubs join the race at the Round of 64.