The finals format for the Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup has been changed.
CEO Timothy Lepa says this is to ensure a smooth outcome for the competition.
The Coca-Cola Ipatas Cup started in December 2018 and is expected to conclude in the first week of February.
For this year’s finals, teams will not be playing on their home turf.
“Teams in the Enga challenge will not play off in the Eastern end in Wapenamanda but they will play in Goroka,” stated Lepa.
“And teams in Goroka, Simbu will go and play up in Wapenamanda, teams in Lae will come and play out.
“We’re moving all the teams around to neutral ground.”
Lepa says this is to encourage teams to play real football instead of resorting to other means to win the game.
He further said due to the limited time, certain challenges had to be started simultaneously.
“So that really gave us some problems but we managed to complete all the play offs.”
After the play offs they will have 24 teams with gold passes, where the Eastern and Western end will host two-day tournaments respectively. The grand final will follow soon after.
(CCIC CEO Timothy Lepa)