CRFA conducts 2025 Castel Challenge Cup Central Region draw

The Central Region Football Association (CRFA), in conjunction with Castel Malawi Limited, conducted the regional draw for the 2025 Castel Challenge Cup on Monday, October 20, 2025, at their offices at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

The draw brought together district champions and Premier Division League teams. The district champions—Sigereta Hammers from Mchinji, Lilongwe University, Ntchisi Winner, and Thandizo Orphans—will battle it out in the play-offs before advancing to the round of 16.

MORE NEWS FROM WAMPIRA

Castel Malawi Limited Central Region Administrator Richard Sabwe praised the regional governing body for organizing the cup at the district level with zeal and professionalism.

“The journey has been excellent from the day it started until today when we conducted the regional draw. No incidents of hooliganism were recorded, with games finishing on time, and as sponsors, we are happy with the progress made. It is our hope that we maintain the same pace in the next stages of the cup. Let me urge all teams to work hard as the intensity increases, and we are anticipating more shocking results,” Sabwe said.

Central Region Football Association General Secretary Antonio Manda said the body is fully prepared to stage the competition.

“We are very ready to run the cup at the regional level. At the district level, we registered no violence, and we are optimistic that there will be no such cases wherever the cup is played. We have had discussions with referees and supporters, and we are assured that in the end, we will have a very good round and produce a very good team to represent the region at the national level,” Manda stated.

“Indeed, the fixtures are congested, but as an association, we will find the gaps to schedule these games. For example, we have mid-weeks, so we will utilize that time and make sure we produce the representative on schedule. We have a very good record in the cup, where our teams have gone far by defeating Super League teams, and we believe this will happen again this season,” Manda added.

Full Draw

PLAY-OFFS

1. Sigereta Hammers FC vs Lilongwe University
2. Ntchisi Winner vs Thandizo Orphans

ROUND OF 16

1. Mitundu Baptist vs Green Buffaloes
2. Ergo FC vs Mchinji Villa FC
3. Dwangwa Town Hammers vs Shire Wimbe FC
4. Extreme FC vs Ntchisi Winner/Thandizo Orphans
5. Namitete Zitha vs Sigereta Hammers/Lilongwe University
6. Mzamani FC vs Santhe ADMARC FC
7. Thete FC vs Airborne Rangers
8. Mponela FC vs Heroes Academy

QUARTERFINALS

1. Mzamani/Santhe vs Extreme/Ntchisi Winner/Thandizo Orphans
2. Namitete Zitha/Sigereta Hammers/Lilongwe University vs Mponela FC/Heroes Academy
3. Mitundu Baptist/Green Buffaloes vs Thete FC/Airborne Rangers
4. Ergo FC/Mchinji Villa FC vs Dwangwa Town Hammers/Shire Wimbe FC