Top Flyers Dominate Lower Leagues in Castel Cup

The Castel Challenge Cup has produced a predictable pattern in its round of 32 stage, with elite teams maintaining a perfect record against lower-league opposition through the opening 11 matches.

Super League teams have asserted their superiority across the competition, with seven matches pitting top-flight sides against lower-league opponents. All seven favored the elite teams, with four decided in regulation time and three requiring penalty shootouts.

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Defending champions Mighty Wanderers kicked off their title defense emphatically with a 6-0 victory over Central Region Premier League side Extreme FC at Aubrey Dimba Stadium. Last year’s finalists Mzuzu City Hammers dispatched Nkhatabay District champions Home Sweepers 5-2 at Rumphi Stadium.

Kamuzu Barracks thrashed Eastern Region Premier League side Ntaja Rangers 5-1 at Champions Stadium, while relegated Elite League side Mighty Tigers thumped NDL-relegated Chintheche United 4-0 at Chitipa Stadium.

Three matches required penalty shootouts to separate the teams. Ekhaya FC were held to a 2-2 draw by NDL side Ntaja United before prevailing 4-3 on penalties. Karonga United edged Lufita United from Chitipa 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 regulation draw, while Civil Service United secured a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Eastern Region Premier League side Prison United following a goalless 90 minutes.

Lower League Progress

Three lower-league teams advanced to the round of 16, though all came against fellow lower-league opposition. NDL side Ndirande Stars knocked out their league’s champions Red Lions 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Central Region Premier League outfit Airborne Rangers defeated Nsanje United 4-3 on penalties following another 1-1 stalemate. Shire Wimbe FC, also from the CRPL, secured the most convincing lower-league victory with a 4-0 thrashing of NDL side Chintheche United.

The only elite league casualty so far has been MAFCO, who fell 1-0 to fellow Super League side Blue Eagles.

With five fixtures remaining in the round of 32, three lower-league sides still have opportunities to buck the trend, though all face daunting elite league opposition. Bereu Giants travel to face Chitipa United, Namitete Zitha welcome giants Silver Strikers, and Moyale Barracks clash with Bangwe All Stars.

The remaining fixtures are all-Super League affairs, with Creck Sporting Club facing Goshen City Dedza Dynamos and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets taking on relegated side Songwe Border United.

Sports analyst Justin Mitambo noted the persistent gap between divisions. “We had seen upsets in past years, even last season Panthers did that against giants, and I thought the coming of the National Division League would bring more giant slayers in the Cup, but to the contrary they are still weak,” he said.

Former Mighty Wanderers and Flames defender Ojuku Malunga, now a football analyst, pointed to structural issues affecting lower-league competitiveness. “There is a need to work on officiation in the lower leagues, which mostly favor home teams. If the packages are raised, it will help improve the competitiveness of teams striving to have good sides fit to compete at the national level,” Malunga explained.

Coaches’ Perspectives

Lower League Reactions

Home Sweepers head coach Uled Joy Banda acknowledged the experience gap after his non-league side’s 5-2 loss to Mzuzu City Hammers. “Of course we faced some problems of officiation, but still I am happy with where we are. We are a non-league side with no experience playing at national level, but we have gotten good lessons from the competition,” he said.

Shire Wimbe FC head coach Millias Jegwe Pofera expressed confidence after his team’s 4-0 victory over Chintheche United. “We faced a team from the National Division League but managed to beat them 4-0. We are very happy that the boys are able to apply what they are taught, so we believe we will maintain the performance in upcoming matches,” said Pofera.

Top-Flight Confidence

Mighty Wanderers head coach Bob Mpinganjira set his sights on defending the title after the 6-0 rout. “It was a tough match because we faced a team we didn’t know, but at least I am happy that we scored six goals. We are eyeing to defend this cup and are supposed to be winning these matches,” said Mpinganjira.

Despite relegation from the Super League, Mighty Tigers head coach Trevor Kajawa sees the cup as his team’s remaining opportunity. “We are out of the League and this is what is left in our hands, so we will try as hard as possible to go further in this tournament,” he said.

Teams reaching the round of 16 will earn K1.5 million each, with quarter-finalists banking K5 million. Semi-finalists receive K10 million each, runners-up will collect K25 million, and the champions will claim the trophy plus K50 million.

Round of 16 Fixtures

• Kamuzu Barracks vs Chitipa United | Bereu Giants
• Ekhaya FC vs Shire Wimbe FC
• Mighty Wanderers vs Moyale Barracks | Bangwe All Stars
• Karonga United vs Creck Sporting Club | Goshen City Dedza Dynamos
• Songwe Border United | FCB Nyasa Big Bullets vs Ndirande Stars
• Namitete Zitha | Silver Strikers vs Mzuzu City Hammers
• Blue Eagles vs Airborne Rangers
• Civil Service United vs Mighty Tigers