Football Association of Malawi President Fleetwood Haiya has praised Castel Malawi for their commitment to developing grassroots football after witnessing an exciting Castel Challenge Cup district final in Neno, where Ligowe Young Soccer defeated Hungry Hunters 6-5 on penalties.
Haiya, who attended the thrilling encounter at Neno Community Stadium, took to social media to commend the brewery company for providing a platform that showcases local talent and brings competitive football to Malawi’s districts.
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“A big thank you to Castel Malawi for bringing such competitive football to our districts and giving young players a platform to showcase their talent,” Haiya wrote after watching the dramatic final that ended 1-1 before being decided by penalties.
The FAM President described the match as “an exciting and competitive match” where “talent and passion were at full display,” highlighting the quality of football being produced at district level through the Castel Challenge Cup competition.
The tournament has provided crucial exposure for teams like Ligowe Young Soccer and Hungry Hunters, with both sides demonstrating the kind of competitive spirit that Haiya believes is essential for Malawi football’s development.
“Thrilling final showcases district football quality”
The match itself lived up to Haiya’s praise, delivering drama from start to finish. Ligowe Young Soccer took the lead through Robert Chima’s 24th-minute header from a long throw-in, before the visitors held their advantage for most of the contest.
Hungry Hunters, playing at home, dominated possession and created numerous chances but found themselves reduced to ten men when Mike Chabisala received a second yellow card in the 75th minute.
Just when victory seemed assured for the visitors, substitute Ndaona Kanjala provided late heroics with a powerful strike in the dying moments, sending the home crowd into celebration and forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
In the lottery of penalties, Ligowe Young Soccer held their nerve to convert all six of their spot-kicks while Dennis Stefano’s miss proved costly for Hungry Hunters.
“Coaches reflect on competition impact”
The impact of the Castel-sponsored competition was evident in both coaches’ post-match comments, with financial support proving crucial for teams without major sponsors.
Ligowe Young Soccer coach Emanuel Kanjinga revealed how the prize money would directly support his team’s continued participation in football. “The money that we got here, we will not give the players to spend it because we have another game after this phase, so we have to save it for transport. We don’t have sponsors, so this money will help us,” he said.
Hungry Hunters coach Enifant John, despite the disappointment of losing on penalties, acknowledged the value of the competition in preparing his team for upcoming challenges. “We have National Bank league coming ahead, we know that our supporters are not happy with the result but as a team, we will sit down and see how we are going to progress and prepare for the league which is coming,” John said.
The financial backing provided by Castel Malawi demonstrates the company’s commitment to grassroots football development. Champions Ligowe Young Soccer received K1 million in prize money, while runners-up Hungry Hunters took home K300,000. Third-placed Neno United received K200,000.
For teams operating without major sponsorship deals, these prizes represent vital financial support that enables continued participation in competitive football and helps with essential expenses like transport and equipment.
Haiya’s public recognition of Castel’s contribution underscores FAM’s appreciation for private sector partners who invest in developing football at the grassroots level, providing opportunities for young players to develop their skills and showcase their talent on competitive stages.
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