FA Cup Committee chairman Lepowura Alhaji Mohammed Nuru Deen Jawula is counting on the Premier League teams to come out strongly as the 2011/12 competition gets underway on December 13. Second tier side Nania FC defied the odds to upset the big guns by claiming the first competition in ten years last season.

The victory of the Nania certainly ensured the competition gained much popularity and also underlined its significance as the only tournament with a level playing field for second and third tier sides to compete against top flight sides as well as unearth hitherto hidden talents.

Jawula is one of those to have expressed their joy at the surprise feat of Nania and even he though he admits he will relish a similar feat, he is very reasonable with expectations.

“My expectation is that this year it’s going to be very very big and we are going to have good players coming through. Anything is possible but I believe the Premier League boys will step up. We should not be surprised if some of the big boys do well and go all the way,” Mr. Jawula told Pravda 93.5 FM in Accra.

Last Friday’s draw was no easy one for Nania as the defending champions were pitted against former Premier League side Accra Great Olympics. Nania will however enjoy home advantage against the twice Ghana champions on December 13 when 48 teams will be looking to qualify for the round of 64 where all 16 Premier League side are already waiting.