List of domestic cups in association football in Africa
| Country | Domestic Cup |
|---|---|
 Zambia | Zambian Cup |
A domestic cup (also known as association cup or national cup) is a type of sports tournament, particularly common in association football. This tournament type is notable for its participation by professional and amateur teams from many levels of a country's league system. The structure of the competition varies but is usually a knockout format and is typically organized by the country's governing body for the sport (football association). [1] [2] The oldest domestic cup is England's FA Cup, first played in 1871. [3]
The format of domestic cups vary from country to country but they usually share many characteristics. The tournament is typically a knockout format where matchups can be played as a single match or a two-legged tie. [1] Teams may enter the tournament in different rounds depending on their league rank. [4] Lower ranked teams would enter in earlier rounds or in a qualifier for the main tournament. A domestic cup will be played over several months and runs concurrently with the league season. The winner of a domestic cup may qualify to a super cup or a continental competition. [5]
| Country | Domestic Cup |
|---|---|
| Zambia | Zambian Cup |
| Country | Domestic Cup |
|---|---|
 Czechoslovakia | Czechoslovak Cup |
 East Germany | FDGB-Pokal |
 Serbia and Montenegro | Serbia and Montenegro Cup |
 Soviet Union | Soviet Cup |
 Yugoslavia | Yugoslav Cup |
| Country | Domestic Cup |
|---|---|
 Monaco | Challenge Prince Rainier III |
 Vatican City | Coppa Sergio Valci |
A giant-killing, also known as an upset, is when lower-league sides slay the 'giant' of a team objectively viewed as the odds-on favorite to win the tie, or the whole tournament. [6]
Whereas Points-based competitions such as the Premier League rely on teams maintaining consistent form for the duration of the campaign, the stakes are much higher in domestic cup matches, which follow a knockout format, as everything is on the line during the course of a single match.
Some examples of giant-killings include :
