FCB Nyasa Bullets, Ekhaya FC and Blue Eagles yesterday all secured places in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Castel Challenge Cup after victories over lower league sides.
At Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Bullets were made to work hard before edging out second-tier side Ndirande Stars 3-1 in an entertaining contest.
Ndirande Stars stunned the favourites in the 34th minute when Kondwani Kucheza finished off a well-worked move, beating Innocent Nyasulu in Bullets goals for the underdogs to lead 1-0 at the break.
Bullets responded strongly in the second-half, levelling matters five minutes after the restart through forward Ephraim Kondowe, who converted from close range from a Mike Mkwate assist.
Striker Maxwell Phodo struck from a set-piece in the 67th minute and later in the 91th minute to seal Bullets’ passage into the last eight.
Bullets interim head coach Gilbert Chirwa said he was glad to progress to the quarter-finals after coming from behind.
He said: “It was a good game. Ndirande Stars came prepared. They scored first. That gave us an assignment. It gave us vigour to come back into the game.
“The players were too casual in the first-half. We talked to them at half-time, then we made three changes that brought life into the game and we scored the three goals.”
At Nankhaka Stadium in Area 30, Lilongwe, Ekhaya FC produced a disciplined performance to eliminate Shire Wimbe FC with a narrow 1-0 victory in a match played on a waterlogged pitch.
The decisive moment came in the 30th minute when Moses Banda found the net after being set up by Clever Chikwata.
Despite sustained pressure from Shire Wimbe in the second-half and several stoppages due to injuries, Ekhaya held firm to book their quarter-final spot.
In a post-match interview Ekhaya head coach Enos Chatama said they did not play their usual passing game.
He said: “Quite a tough match considering that we played under unnecessary conditions.
“We played on a muddy pitch. It wasn’t good for our free-flowing football.
“We never passed the ball just because the pitch could not allow us to play our usual game.
“But all in all, we have won. That’s what is important in a cup game.”
Meanwhile, at Champion Stadium in Mponela, Dowa, Blue Eagles underlined their top-flight pedigree with a commanding 5-1 win over lower-league hosts Airborne Rangers.
Toni Viyuyi opened the scoring as early as the sixth minute before Pius Saka doubled the lead midway through the first-half.
Blue Eagles maintained their dominance after the break, with Micium Mhone adding a third shortly after the restart.
Viyuyi completing his brace in the 81st minute while Chikondi Mvula sealed the victory in the 90th minute.
Airborne Rangers were handed a chance to pull one back from the penalty spot late on, but Thomas Kashoni fired over the bar.
However, Kephas Mvula netted the consolation in added on time.
Delighted Eagles coach DeKlerk Msakakuona said the massive victory will give the team high spirits going into the quarter-finals.
