Will Lower Shire side Bereu Giants cause an upset against TNM Super League’s Chitipa United in Castel Challenge Cup Round of 32? – Maravi Express

January 7, 2026

* Chitipa United should draw some lessons from the performance of 3rd-tier league Prison United, who forced out a 0-0 draw against TNM Super League club Civil Service United before losing 2-4 in post-match penalties

* As TNM Super League runners-up Nyasa Big Bullets travel to Karonga to face relegated Songwe United on Sunday at Karonga Stadium

By Duncan Mlanjira

It has been an interesting edition of the Castel Challenge Cup 2026/2026 right from the beginning until TNM Super League sides joined the contest in the Round of 32, which so far the elite football clubs have qualified for the next stage.

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The Round of 32 concludes this weekend and on John Chilembwe Day, January 15 — starting on Saturday when Lower Shire side Bereu Giants will be hosted by TNM Super League side, Chitipa United at Chitipa Stadium.

Chitipa United should draw some lessons from the performance of 3rd-tier league Prison United, who forced out a 0-0 draw against TNM Super League club Civil Service United before losing 2-4 in post-match penalties.

Having reached this far, Bereu Giants might become giant killers if Chitipa United would not treat the visitors with kid gloves but to assert their status as elite league side — just like defending champions Mighty Wanderers did when they trounced 3rd-tier league side, Extreme FC 6-0 at Aubrey Dimba Stadium in Mchinji last Sunday.

The same goes with TNM Super League runners-up Nyasa Big Bullets, who travel to Karonga to face relegated Songwe United on Sunday at Karonga Stadium. Songwe must be well prepared to salvage some pride after exiting the elite league — just as fellow relegated side Mighty Tigers did when they earned an emphatic 4-0 win against NBS Bank National Division League (NDL) side Chilumba Barracks.

A league encounter between Nyasa Big Bullets and Songwe United

On Sunday, there is an all-Super League encounter between Creck FC and Dedza Dynamos to be played at Dimba Stadium — the venue where the elite league’s 3rd-placed Silver Strikers will be hosted by NBS Bank NDL side, Namitete Zitha on John Chilembwe Day, January 15.

The 16-team TNM Super League 2025 edition’s 9th-placed Moyale FC will host NBS Bank NDL’s Bangwe All Stars at Rumphi Stadium also on John Chilembwe Day.

Along with defending champions Mighty Wanderers, Civil Service United and Mighty Tigers, the other teams that have qualified include Blue Eagles, who beat MAFCO FC 1-0 in an all-TNM Super League encounter at Champion Stadium.

Another TNM Super League relegated side, Mzuzu City Hammers who beat 3rd-tier club HomeSweepers 4-2 while Kamuzu Barracks also beat a lower league side Ntaja Rangers 5-1.

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NBS Bank NDL side, Ntaja United have Super League side Ekhaya FC a good run for their money when they forced a 2-2 draw and to narrowly lose 3-4 in post match penalties.

Ekhaya were first score in the 20th minute through Moses Banda but Ntaja United equalised 12 minutes later through Brian Kumtambira before taking the lead in the 42nd through Lloyd Chilenga. Ntaja United kept the lead all the way to the 72nd before Clever Chikwata equalised to force the match to the post-match penalties.

Lufita United also troubled Karonga United at Chitipa Stadium by scoring first in the first minute of the match through Tony Msokwa and defended their lead up to the half hour mark when Godfrey Sibale equalised for Karonga United. The experienced Karonga United failed to crack Lufita’s resilience for the next hour up to the 90th.

A week before, Ndirande Stars eliminated fellow NBS Bank NDL side, Red Lions 5-3 in post-match penalties after playing out 1-1 draw in regulation time — while NBS Bank NDL’s Chintheche United were beaten 4-1 at home Rumphi Stadium by Shire Wimbe.