Two NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) sides, Baka City and Jenda United, have been eliminated from the 2025 Castel Challenge Cup after suffering defeats to Chibavi Real Stars and Lufita FC respectively.
Baka City, who are currently second on the NDL log table, suffered a 2-0 defeat to Chibavi Real Stars on November 1, while Jenda United bowed out 3-4 on post-match penalties to Lufita after a goalless draw in regulation time on Sunday.
Elsewhere, Namitete Zitha, sitting third on the NDL table, advanced to the next round after a 1-1 draw with University of Lilongwe before triumphing 7-3 in a tense penalty shootout.
League leaders Red Lions maintained their fine form with an emphatic 8-1 win over Ngokwe United, while Mitundu Baptist, who are fourth, edged Newcastle FC 1-0. Bangwe All Stars, who are fifth, also progressed after surviving a scare, drawing 2-2 with Ligowe Young Soccer in regulation time before winning 4-2 on penalties.
In other fixtures, Chilumba Barracks, who are ninth, advanced with a 2-1 victory over Chizumulu, and Ndirande Stars recorded the biggest win of the round with an astonishing 18-0 demolition of Soccer Legends.
Ntaja United, in eighth place, overcame Changalume Barracks 1-0, while relegation-threatened Chintheche United, who sit tenth, found solace with a 3-1 victory over Young Movers. Meanwhile, Mchinji Villa, who are in eleventh place on the NDL table, cruised past Ergo FC 4-0 to book their slot in the next round of the Central Region qualifiers.
Regional Qualifiers Results
Eastern Region:
Chawe Bullets 1-0 Mpulura FC; Msamba Estate 4-2 Zomba Airbase; Ntaja Rangers 8-2 Masters United; Prison United 1-0 Toleza
Northern Region:
Embangweni United 3 (1-1) 4 Home Sweepers; Chiponde 2-1 eSwazini; Mbelwa Warriors 6 (2-2) 8 Baula Celtic; Chicago FC 2 (1-1) 4 Raiply United
Central Region:
Dwangwa Town Hammers 2-4 FC Shire Wimbe; Thete FC 0-3 Airborne Rangers; Extreme FC 4-0 Thandizo Orphans; Mponela FC 3-2 Heroes Sporting; Mzamani FC 2-1 Santhe Admarc
Southern Region:
Chikuli Hot Bullets 2-5 Nsanje United; Bloomfield 3-2 Liberty FC; Zingwangwa United 2-3 Bereu Giants; Nthunzi 1-2 Chitera; Thunga 2-1 Makata Select
The Castel Challenge Cup 2025 began with the district phase, progressing through regional league preliminaries and playoffs.
District champions and qualified regional league teams then joined NDL clubs in regional playoffs to produce 16 teams that will advance to the national phase.
The national phase will feature three teams from the Eastern Region, four from the Central Region, five from the Northern Region, and four from the Southern Region. These will join 16 TNM Super League clubs, led by defending champions Mighty Wanderers, who defeated Mzuzu City Hammers 1-0 in last year’s final.
