Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has expressed satisfaction with the administration of the 2025/26 Castel Challenge Cup as the competition reaches the semi-final stage.
FAM Competitions and Communications Director, Gomezgani Zakazaka, said the association is pleased with how the tournament has been handled, adding that all semi-final matches will be played at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, while the final will take place at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Zakazaka also confirmed that teams progressing to the semi-finals and final will wear sponsor-branded uniforms as part of standardising the competition.
The remarks come after the confirmation of the last four teams, following Mzuzu City Hammers’ dramatic victory over defending champions Mighty Wanderers.
Hammers triumphed 5–3 on post-match penalties after the contest ended 1–1 in regulation time.
Wanderers opened the scoring through Isaac Kaliati in the 50th minute, but Hammers forced penalties with a stoppage-time equaliser from Hassan Luwembe in the 90+4th minute.
Luwembe was later named man of the match.
Hammers’ achievement was made more remarkable by the fact that they finished the match with nine players after Matthews Banda was sent off in the 70th minute for accumulating two yellow cards, followed by Jimmy Msiska’s dismissal two minutes later.
The semi-final line-up will see Mzuzu City Hammers face FCB Nyasa Big Bullets while Blue Eagles will take on Goshen City Dedza Dynamos.
Mzuzu City Hammers assistant coach, Lazarus Deco, has since urged both players and supporters to remain hopeful, expressing confidence that the team can go on to lift the trophy.
The tournament has a long history in Malawian football.
It was first introduced in 2000 and it was known as the Carlsberg Cup. In that season, Telecom Wanderers (now Mighty Wanderers) won it after they defeated Bata Bullets (now FCB Nyasa Big Bullets). Moyale Barracks won it in 2001 after they defeated Escom United 1-0 while in 2002, Bullets reclaimed championship as they defeated MTL Wanderers 1-0.
In 2003, the trophy was withdrawn by sponsors and returned in 2012 where Blue Eagles won it by defeating ESCOM United 1-0. Kamuzu Barracks won it in 2013, Bullets won it again in 2014, Wanderers won it between 2015 and 2016, Bullets won it again in 2017 and Masters Security won the 2018 edition.
The cup was discontinued in 2019 before it returned in 2023 as Castel Challenge Cup under Castel Limited where Bullets won it after defeating Silver Strikers 4-2 on post-mqtch penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time. Then Wanderers won the 2024 edition by defeating Mzuzu City Hammers 1-0.
