Wanderers, Silver Draw Fellow Elite League Teams in FDH Bank Cup Round of 32

The 2025 FDH Bank Cup edition will witness 12 TNM Super League sides facing off in the Round of 32, following a draw conducted at Mpira Village by the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) and sponsors FDH Bank on Thursday, July 13, 2025.

FDH Bank’s Senior Marketing and Communications Manager, Ronald Chimchere and FAM’s Technical Support Manager, James Sangala led the draw.

The draw placed the country’s top three teams in mixed fortunes, with Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers drawing fellow elite league sides, while FCB Nyasa Big Bullets landed a National Division League opponent. The Nomads will host MAFCO FC in match 7, Silver will travel to the Southern Region to face Mighty Tigers, and Bullets will head north to play Chilumba Barracks.

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Other top-flight fixtures will see Civil Service United host Chitipa United, defending champions Blue Eagles take on Songwe Border United at home, Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos square off with CRECK Sporting Club, and Moyale Barracks welcome Ekhaya FC.

The draw also produced fascinating matchups among lower-tier rivals. Mchinji Villa FC will play Mitundu Baptist, while Prison United take on Red Lions in a Zomba derby. In other clashes between elite and lower league sides, Kamuzu Barracks will face FC Thondwe, Karonga United meet Chatoloma ADMARC, and Mzuzu City Hammers take on Baka City. Among all-lower league ties, Jenda United will meet FC Shire, Zingwangwa United lock horns with Mmbelwa Warriors, Sporting FC play Bangwe All Stars, and Becks Academy face The Boyz.

Reacting to the draw, Chimchere expressed optimism for an exciting tournament. He confirmed that teams from the second and third tiers will continue receiving financial and material support, including football kits.

“Last year, we saw Blue Eagles win the cup while still in the division league, proving that the support we offer is invaluable. We’ll continue helping these teams,” said Chimchere, who also urged teams and fans to maintain a safe environment throughout the tournament. He added that the bank is pleased with the tournament’s progress since its 2021 inception.

FAM Competitions and Communications Director Gomezgani Zakazaka said this year’s edition promises excitement, as early results have already seen non-elite teams ousting National Division League opponents.

“We’re guaranteed that six teams outside the Super League will reach the round of 16. It adds unpredictability, and that’s the beauty of knockout football—you have to beat the best to be the best,” said Zakazaka.

He pointed out the natural rivalries in the draw, such as Red Lions versus Prison United and Mchinji Villa against Mitundu Baptist—both steeped in Central Region football history.

Zakazaka added that the cup will conclude on November 1, with Round of 32 matches set for August 16 and 17. The Round of 16 will follow in mid-September, quarterfinals later in the month, and semifinals in early October.

Blue Eagles are the defending champions, having stunned FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in last year’s final via post-match penalties at Bingu National Stadium while still competing in the Chipiku Premier Division.
Full draw
1 Civil Service United vs. Chitipa United
2 Chilumba Barracks vs. Nyasa Big Bullets
3 Kamuzu Barracks vs. FC Thondwe
4 Blue Eagles vs. Songwe Border United
5 Moyale Barracks vs. Ekhaya FC
6 Karonga United vs. Chatoloma ADMARC
7 Mighty Wanderers vs. MAFCO FC
8 Mighty Tigers vs. Silver Strikers
9 Jenda United vs. FC Shire
10 Mzuzu City Hammers vs. Baka City
11 Mchinji Villa vs. Mitundu Baptist
12 Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos vs. CRECK Sporting Club
13 Zingwangwa United vs. Mmbelwa Warriors
14 Sporting FC vs. Bangwe All Stars
15 Becks Academy vs. The Boyz
16 Prison United vs. Red Lions

Winner from match number one will face the winner in match 16 and that will be the older. Winners from match nine to match 16 will be the home teams in the round of 16.