The 2025 Castel Challenge Cup National Phase began in controversial fashion on Saturday when a refereeing error overshadowed Nsanje United’s penalty shootout defeat to Airborne Rangers at Nsanje Community Centre Ground.
In an unprecedented sequence of events, Nsanje United’s Konesha Vito was sent off at halftime, played no part as Rangers equalized nine minutes into the second half, and was then recalled to the pitch after officials discovered the red card had been issued in error.
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The drama began before a ball was even kicked. Nsanje United arrived without player identification cards, forcing lengthy discussions with match officials. The game eventually started 20 minutes late at 14:50 CAT instead of the scheduled 14:30 CAT.
Referee Peter Phiri’s difficulties continued into the match. Early on, he waved play on after a Nsanje United goalkeeper handled a deliberate back-pass from a defender—a clear violation that should have resulted in an indirect free-kick to Rangers.
Despite the officiating issues, Nsanje United seized the initiative. Martius Khembo, played through by Charles Smart, gave the hosts a second-minute lead that they carried into halftime.
The red card confusion
The real controversy erupted at the interval. Vito removed his shirt after the halftime whistle, and Phiri promptly showed him a second yellow card followed by a red—except Vito had never received a first yellow card.
Nsanje United officials and supporters protested vehemently, but the second half began with the hosts down to ten men. Rangers capitalized on their numerical advantage, with Thomas Kashoni equalizing in the 54th minute.
Play was then halted for 12 minutes while match officials reviewed the incident. After consultation, they confirmed Phiri’s error: Vito had not been cautioned and therefore could not receive a second yellow. The defender was summoned back onto the pitch.
Rangers protested the reversal, but the decision stood. The match finished level and proceeded to penalties, where Rangers prevailed 4-3 to advance to the round of 16.
Nsanje United assistant coach Levi Kholovala announced plans to lodge a formal complaint with the Football Association of Malawi.
“I have never seen it. A player was not on a yellow card and they sent him off for taking off a shirt,” Kholovala said. “We played with a man down for nine minutes and they capitalized on that to score an equalizer.
“It has really affected us and we are considering writing a complaint to the Football Association of Malawi. But all in all, it was a good game and we played very well.”
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