"YAKWANA NTHAWI YOKABWENZERA 8-0 IJA" - THOLE

Mlembi wamkulu wa timu ya Mzuzu City Hammers, Benjamin Thole, wati nthawi yakwana kuti timu yake ikabwenzere zowawa zomwe anamva mu chigawo chachiwiri cha ligi pomwe anagonja 8-0 ndi Mighty Mukuru Wanderers ndipo sakafikitsanso ku mapenate.

Iye amayankhula patsogolo pa masewero awo ndi Manoma mu ndime yotsiriza ya chikho cha Castel Challenge loweruka masana pa bwalo la Bingu ku Lilongwe.

Iye wati aphunzitsi anaona zofooka zonse za timuyi ndipo nthawi yakwana kuti Manoma amve zowawa mu chakachi pomwe awabwenzere chipongwe chapa bwalo la Kamuzu.

"Tiwameme anthu abwere adzaone tikutenga chikho pa Bingu. Nthawi yakwana yokha kuti tibwenze 8-0 uja ndipo awa tikamaliziratu mu mphindi 90." Anatero Thole.

Timuyi inatulutsa timu ya Karonga United mu ndime ya matimu asanu ndi atatu ndipo inagwetsanso FCB Nyasa Big Bullets mu ndime ya matimu anayi mmasewero onsewa ku mapenate kuti afike ndime yotsiriza.

"CASTEL FINAL WILL DEFINE OUR SEASON" - NDOVI

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers Chief Executive Officer, Panganeni Ndovi, says their Castel Challenge Cup final will define their 2024 season as it has been a season of a mixed feeling.

Ndovi said the game could fulfill one of their objectives of the season if they win the trophy but that will depend on the hard work of the players.

"Reaching the final of Castel Challenge Cup shows how focused we remain despite having lows in the season and this game will define our season as how we have performed this year." Said Ndovi.

He has however said he treats the game as one of the biggest games the team has played this season as Hammers is a good team that has beaten them also this season.

This will be his first official trophy if they win the tournament today since his appointment as a CEO at the Blue camp.

"TIKUYENERA KUCHOTSA ZINTHU ZINA POTI TIKUMAONEKA PA FIFA" - ZAKAZAKA

Mkulu woona za mipikisano ku bungwe la Football Association of Malawi, Gomegzani Zakazaka, wati pakuyenera kuchotsa zinthu zina mu mpira wathu ngati za zikhulupiliro komanso chipolowe poti dziko lonse lapansi likumaonera masewero a mdziko muno.

Iye amayankhula patsogolo pa ndime yotsiriza ya chikho cha Castel Challenge masana a loweruka pomwe wati akuyembekezera kukamaliza bwino mu chaka cha 2024.

"Tikufuna tikamalize mwapamwamba mu ligi ya chaka chino kuti tinali ndi chaka chopanda za chiwawa ngakhale pena ndi pena sizimalephera koma kwakukulu tingochotsa zinazo chifukwa mpira wathu ukumaoneka pa FIFA." Iye anatero.

Iye anati ngati khalidwe likhale lopambana ndekuti anthu azisilira mpira wathu kupangitsanso kuti osewera athu akhale ndi mwayi kunja kwa dziko lino.

Ndime yotsiriza ya chikho cha Castel iseweredwe pakati pa matimu a Mighty Mukuru Wanderers komanso Mzuzu City Hammers pa bwalo la Bingu mu mzinda wa L

"IT'S TOTALLY DIFFERENT FROM THE 8-0 WIN" - MPINGANJIRA

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers head coach, Bob Mpinganjira, says he expects a very different game from the match they won 8-0 in the League this season and the team needs to work extra hard to win the trophy.

He said this on Friday ahead of the match against Mzuzu City Hammers in the final of the Castel Challenge Cup in Lilongwe on Saturday at the Bingu National Stadium where he said his team is prepared.

He said this is their last chance to win a trophy this season and they have agreed to have this one although it will not come on a silver platter.

"It's a different game from that game we won 8-0. It was in the League and also months ago and we need to approach this game as it is now so we desperately need this one." Said Bob.

The team managed to beat Panthers FC 3-0 to reach the final and their last time to win a trophy was in 2022 when they won the Airtel Top 8 under Mark Harrison.

"TAGWIRIZANA KUTI TIWINE TIKACHISIYE KWA A MPINGANJIRA" - CHAZIYA

Mtsogoleri wa osewera kutimu ya Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, Lawrence Chaziya, wati osewera onse agwirizana kuti ayesetse kuwina chikho chimenechi ndi cholinga choti akachisiye kwa mtsogoleri wa timuyi Thomson Mpinganjira.

Iye amayankhula patsogolo pa masewero amu ndime yotsiriza ya Castel Challenge yomwe iliko loweruka pa bwalo la Bingu pakati pa timuyi ndi Mzuzu City Hammers.

Iye wati chikhala chinthu chokoma kwambiri kutenga chikhochi chifukwa ndekuti chipereka chilimbikitso kwa osewera kuti chaka cha mawa adzachitenso bwino mu zambiri.

Iye anati: "Ifeyo takonzekera bwino kwambiri ndipo tagwirizana kuti titenge ichichi tikachisiye kwa a Mpinganjira. Molalo ili pamwamba ndipo izizi zitheka ndithu."

Ichi chitha kukhala chikho choyamba mu zaka ziwiri ku mbali ya Manoma omwe anachoka chaka chatha opanda chikho ndipo komaliza munali mu 2022 pomwe anatenga Airtel Top 8 pansi pa Mark Harrison.

"TACHOKERA KUTALI" - IKWANGA

Mphunzitsi watimu ya Mzuzu City Hammers, Kondwa Ikwanga, wati timu yake yakonzeka bwino kwambiri kuti ichite bwino ndipo masewerowa si achilendo poti achokera kutali.

Iye amayankhula patsogolo pa masewero amu ndime yotsiriza mu chikho cha Castel Challenge masana a loweruka pa bwalo la Bingu pomwe akumane ndi timu ya Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.

Iye wati akonzeka bwino kuti achite bwino ndipo kutali komwe achoka osati kuyenda koma mu mpikisanowu.

"Tinayamba kukonzekera masewerowa kalekale nde anthu ayembekezere mpira wabwino kwambiri pa Bingu." Anatero Ikwanga.

Timuyi inagonjetsa FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 4-1 mu mapenate mu mphindi 90 masewero atatha 0-0 kuti afike mu ndime yotsiriza ndipo ndi Wanderers akumana kawiri pomwe anapambana 2-0 mchigawo choyamba asanagonje 8-0 mchigawo chachiwiri.

"ORGANISERS WANT BULLETS AND WANDERERS IN FINAL" - MKANDAWIRE

Mzuzu City Hammers Chairman, Gift Mkandawire, says organisers of the Castel Challenge Cup have made deliberate moves to have Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in the final as all semi final matches have been put on their home ground matches.

The former Wanderers chairman wrote this on Facebook ahead of his team's meeting with Bullets at the Kamuzu Stadium and has suspected deliberate moves but they will beat Bullets to prove them wrong.

"Both semi finals going to the backyard of the favourites. We want to prove that favours are not good today. Muwapweteketsa on their backyard." Wrote Mkandawire.

He further said the Mzuzu Stadium has hosted all TNM Super League matches but has been snubbed for Castel Challenge Cup matches which shows favouritism.

However, following the draws for the semi final matches, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets were to play at home after winning the Quarter final

"WE CAN NOT UNDERRATE HAMMERS" - PASUWA

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach, Kalisto Pasuwa, says he expects a tough game against Mzuzu City Hammers as the team plays good Football but the People's team are looking for one positive result to progress into the final.

He said this ahead of the semi final match in the Castel Challenge Cup on Tuesday at the Kamuzu Stadium where he said his team had no time to train as they are travelling much and playing in spaces of three days in their matches.

He however was worried with injuries and tiredness of the players as the team is not having a left back but will still go to fight for a win.

"We lost Alick Lungu and Frank Willard due to injury and red card respectively and we also had some other guys who had knocks due to the pitch which was bumpy and hard." Said Pasuwa.

The winner of this match will face Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in a final to be played at the Bingu National Stadium on 21 December 2024.

"THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE US FOR GRANTED" - IKWANGA

Mzuzu City Hammers head coach, Kondwa Ikwanga, says his team anticipates a very tough game as they are playing away from home but they are there to fight for a place in the final of the Castel Challenge Cup.

He said this ahead of their semi final match against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at the Kamuzu Stadium where he said the People's team are the ones on pressure as they look to impress in front of home fans.

He said the team is much ready to face Bullets and they have been in different places facing different teams where they have won their games.

"We are here to fight as we know what is at stake. We know how important the game is as we have been in places, we won our match in Karonga but that is gone, we are in Blantyre a place that is familiar to us." Said Ikwanga.

He further said the team is not having any injury in their camp and a win in the match will take them to face Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the final this coming Saturday.

"BWERANI MUDZAONE TIKUSINJA BULLETS PAKWAWO" - THOLE

Mlembi wamkulu watimu ya Mzuzu City Hammers, Benjamin Thole, wati timu yake ipange kanthu kena kozwizwitsa pomwe agonjetse timu ya FCB Nyasa Big Bullets pakwawo kuti afike mu ndime yotsiriza ya chikho cha Castel Challenge.

Iye amayankhula patsogolo pa masewero awo omwe ali pa bwalo la Kamuzu lachiwiri mu ndime ya matimu anayi ndipo wati timu yake yakonzeka kwambiri kuti agwetse Bullets.

Iye wati alibe mantha oti Bullets ili pa kwawo poti mpira umenewu unatha kalekale ndipo Iwo apita kukangogwira ntchito nkumabwera.

"Tiwameme anthu kuti abwere, chabwino masewero ayikidwa tsiku loyipa komabe abwere adzangoona mmene titawatulutsire a Bullets mu Castel." Anatero Thole.

Timuyi inagonjetsa Karonga United 3-2 pa mapenate ikuti ifike mu ndime yamatimu anayi a mpikisanowu ndipo opambana pa masewero awowa akakumana ndi Mighty Mukuru Wanderers mu ndime yotsiriza.

"KUCHINYITSA ZITATU ZOKHA PA WANDERERS NDI CHILIMBIKITSO" - MKANDIRA

Mphunzitsi watimu ya Panthers, Innocent Mkandira, wati ndi chilimbikitso chachikulu kwambiri ku timu yawo kungogonjako zigoli zitatu zokha pa masewero omwe anakumana ndi Mighty Mukuru Wanderers poti osewera awo sangafanane ndi a Wanderers.

Iye amayankhula atatha masewero omwe agonja 3-0 kuti atuluke mu chikho cha Castel Challenge mu ndime ya matimu anayi ndipo wati iwo anayesetsa koma zavuta.

"Mutha kuona mchigawo choyamba tinayesetsa kuyimitsa Wanderers sitinachinyane koma mchigawo chachiwiri tinakanika kumaka bwinobwino nde atachinya choyamba anatibalalitsa kwambiri." Anatero Mkandira.

Iye wati komabe kutengera kukula Kwa timu ya Wanderers ndi luso la osewera atimuyi alili, kugonja ndi zigoli zitatu zokha ndi chilimbikitso chachikulu kwambiri.

Wanderers yafika mu ndime yotsiriza ndipo ikumana ndi wopambana pakati pa timu ya FCB Nyasa Big Bullets ndi Mzuzu City Hammers.

NYONDO SCORES AGAIN AS WANDERERS REACH CASTEL FINAL

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers has become the first team to reach the 2024 Castel Challenge Cup final after beating Panthers 3-0 at the Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Forward Clement Nyondo scored his 13th goal of the tournament before Blessings Singini's thunderbolt and Gaddie Chirwa's cool finish sealed the win following an impressive second half display by the team.

Head coach, Bob Mpinganjira, was happy with the win saying it was not an easy thing to beat the lower league side.

"It was a tough game, I said it already that they are good and you could see today they came and held us in the first half then Second half, we pushed hard then we got the goals." Said Mpinganjira.

He further said that the team will keep on fighting in order to find a silverware this season as the Castel Challenge Cup is their only hope for a trophy this season.

The team will face either FCB Nyasa Big Bullets or Mzuzu City Hammers in the final of the to

NOMADS-PANTHERS GAME MARRED BY JUJU BELIEFS

The belief in superstition and Juju resurfaced at the Kamuzu Stadium as Mighty Mukuru Wanderers were seen attacking some other people suspecting them to have kept the Nomads goal for them not to score.

30 minutes into the game, two women wearing the Nomads colours suspected a certain woman to be one of the Panthers traditional doctors and despite others proving to them that she is a Nomads fan, four men came and took him to search her what he carried.

"I started supporting Wanderers when it was Yokohama Wanderers in 1982 so what are they trying to say?" Said the Woman after returning from being searched.

Meanwhile at half time, some supporters were spotted taking a cooler box which was suspected to be the one Panthers is using in order to stop Wanderers from scoring and they broke it before burning it.

The Nomads then went on to score three goals through Clement Nyondo, Blessings Singini and Gaddie Chirwa to seal the win and a place into

KALIATI NAMED 2024 BEST PLAYER, WANDERERS BEST CLUB

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers midfielder, Isaac Kaliati, has added two accolades at MBC Entertainers of the Year award after being voted as 2024 Player of the year and Sports Personality of the year.

This follows a tremendous effort put in the 2024 season that saw him win 8 man of the match awards to score 17 goals and provide 9 assists in 27 games and win the golden boot this season.

He has however defeated Crispin Mapemba and Chimwemwe Idana for the best player award and he got the best of Frank kandu and Peter Mponda to win the best Sports personality award.

Meanwhile, trophyless Mighty Mukuru Wanderers has been named as the best Football Club in 2024 beating FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers while Ascent Academy beat FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women and Ntopwa Super Queens for the best female team award.

In Women's Football, Temwa Chawinga beat her Sister Tabitha for the best female player of the year, Joyce Mvula won the best

NRFA DELIGHTED WITH 2024 NORTH LEAGUE SEASON

Northern Region Football Association has described the 2024 SIMSO - Mzuzu 12 Northern Region Football League as successful and competitive after finishing the it's season on Saturday.

The Association's General Secretary, Masiya Nyasulu, spoke this to the media following the conclusion of the League which Songwe Border United has been crowned the Champions and also been promoted to the TNM Super League.

He said the League went well from the start to end and that the competition was high in the season.

"From the day we launched the League, there has been high competition, at first Jenda United was leading but towards the end, Songwe Border dominated hence we are saying they are the Champions now." He said.

He however said teams that failed to honour their fixtures as a tendency they they think they do not have anything to fight for the last days of the League will be punished as per rules and regulations of the League.

BULLETS SET HAMMERS DATE IN CASTEL SEMIS

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets has booked their place in the semi finals of the 2024 Castel Challenge Cup after beating lower league side, MMF Marine 1-3 at the Dedza Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Lloyd Aaron and Wongani Lungu scored great goals in the first half before Alick Lungu killing off the game in the second half after Alex Mbewe had put the game alive with a fine goal early in the second half.

The team will now play Mzuzu City Hammers in the last four at the Kamuzu Stadium and Coach Kalisto Pasuwa, has described Hammers as a good team.

"It will be a good game, Hammers is a good team that plays good Football and well structured I think playing them will be a motivation to us and may the best team wins and go into the final." Said Pasuwa.

The possibility of a Blantyre Derby in the final of the tournament is quite very possible as Mighty Mukuru Wanderers face Panthers on Sunday at the Kamuzu Stadium before Bullets hosting Hammers on Tuesday.

MORE INJURIES AT BULLETS WORRIES PASUWA

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets head coach, Kalisto Pasuwa, says too much travelling, playing in space of few days and poor pitches are reasons why his most of his players are picking more injuries this season.

He said this after losing out left back, Alick Lungu to an injury following a hard tackle on him as the team beat MMF Marine to book a place in the semi finals of the Castel Challenge Cup at the Dedza Stadium on Saturday.

He said his team is having no time for recovery of the players due to playing games in a space of three days and that playing in rains on poor surfaces is making him lose players in each game they are playing.

He said: "We are travelling a lot and also we have been playing on weather which is not okay and the pitch not suitable for a team to play football but again in terms of the health of players, we are playing games in space of three days and players are not recovering hence many injuries."

On the extent of Lungu, he said

"WE WANT THE CASTEL CUP AT LALI LUBANI" - MPINGANJIRA

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers head coach, Bob Mpinganjira, says the Castel Challenge Cup is the only chance left for the team to win a silverware thus season and that they will do everything to take it home this season.

He said this on Saturday ahead of the team's semi final crash against Panthers at the Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday and said he knows what Panthers is doing but they will fight for a better result.

He said, "Castel Challenge Cup is our only hope for silverware this season. We are therefore leaving nothing to chance. We have had adequate preparations and we have challenged ourselves that Castel Cup must come to Lali Lubani Road."

Meanwhile, he confirmed that the team still misses their left back, Timothy Silwimba, who is injured and also midfielder, Mphatso Kamanga also misses the match.

Should the Nomads win on Sunday, they will face either FCB Nyasa Big Bullets or Mzuzu City Hammers in the final.

NYONDO SENDS NOMADS INTO SEMIS

Clement Nyondo was in a beast mode after netting three goals as Mighty Mukuru Wanderers beat Bangwe All Stars 5-0 in the Quarter finals of the Castel Challenge Cup at the Kamuzu Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Nyondo scored one in the first half before scoring two others in the second half with Misheck Botomani and Sama Thierry Tanjong scoring the other goals to insure the big win for the team.

Head coach, Bob Mpinganjira, expressed his happiness over the result said his boys played very well.

"We started thinking about this game last week knowing how important this game was and I'm happy not because we have won 5-0 but we have progressed through to the next round." Said Mpinganjira.

The Nomads will face lower league side, Panthers FC in the semi finals of the tournament to be played at the Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

CIVIL SLAIN, WANDERERS NEXT AS PANTHERS BOOK LAST FOUR PLACE

The lower league side, Panthers FC have managed to knock out four Elite League giants in a similar way through post match penalties after beating Civil Service United 4-2 on penalties after playing a goalless draw in 90 minutes.

In the shootouts, Only Blessings Malinda and Chifundo Ngapemba scored for Civil as Moses Banda and Festus Duwe missed their kick while Happy Kasamba, Anold Masamba, Vincent Mark and Uchizi Ngulube Scored their kick to move into the last four of the Castel Challenge Cup.

Coach Innocent Mkandira has warned teams coming ahead of them that if they sleep they will see what other teams have seen already.

"I'm happy that we have achieved what we said that we will not give any chance to any Super League team ahead of us so today we have done it again, I am very happy." Said Mkandira.

Meanwhile, he said his team was much motivated when they beat Silver Strikers in the round of 32 of the tournament and tha