To dare is to do! The razzmatazz of the 2025/26 Ibongetse Castel Challenge Cup will reach climax as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Goshen City Dedza Dynamos clash in the final of the cup at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this afternoon.
There is little room for error as it is a high stakes match.
There is plenty to play for in this final as the winner will pocket a cool K55 million as ultimate prize money.
In addition, the champions will automatically qualify to participate in the 2026 Caf Confederation Cup.
That sets up a potentially explosive encounter between the two sides that have shown great character and resilience throughout the competition.
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It is a weird final as few would have predicted it as Bullets and Dedza are meeting for the first time in a cup final.
History beckons for either Bullets or Dedza this afternoon.
For Bullets, they can make history as the first side to lift the Castel Cup twice in three years having won the inaugural edition in 2023.
This afternoon’s match is a perfect opportunity for Bullets to win their second trophy this season having won the Airtel Top 8 in June last year.
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Dedza, on the other hand, will be looking to win their first ever national cup since they earned promotion to the elite league in 2021.
Both sides have had a good run in this year’s competition.
Bullets have delivered a solid performance in this year’s competition having notched 10 goals and conceded one goal in four matches.
They started their journey with a 3-0 victory over relegated Songwe Border United at Karonga Stadium thanks to Maxwell Phodo Gasten’s hattrick.
Then followed a 3-1 victory over second-tier side Ndirande Stars at Kamuzu Stadium. Thereafter, Bullets defeated Mighty Tigers and Mzuzu City Hammers by 2-0 margins in the quarterfinals and semi-finals respectively.
Dedza, on the other hand, have written the most fascinating fairy tales of this year’s competition.
Built on resilience and team work, Dedza have stunned the domestic football fraternity. They have scored six goals and conceded three goals in four matches.
Dedza started their journey with a 3-1 win against Creck Sporting Club at Aubrey Dimba Stadium before a 1-0 victory over Karonga United at Dedza Stadium in the round of 16. A 2-0 victory over Ekhaya propelled them to semi-finals and they edged Blue Eagles 4-3 on post-match penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation to reach their first ever cup final.
Bullets go into today’s final with vigour having reached 17 cup finals in the last 14 years.
Bullets interim coach Gilbert Chirwa said his charges were ready to win the cup.
“It means a lot, and it is a motivation for the team. We are motivated to go there and win the cup,” Chirwa said.
Phodo has been the key man for Bullets having scored seven of the 10 goals for the team in the competition. Right back Yamikani Mologeni has provided six assists.
On his part, Dedza coach Alex Ngwira has instilled confidence in the squad.
Ngwira believes his troops have what it takes to win the cup.
“We are underdogs but we are not in the final by sheer luck. We can upset any team and we are ready for the final,” he said.
Dedza have built a stubborn defence comprising Dan Mponya and Lughano Kayira.
Luke Chima and Chikondi Mbeta have also been key for Dedza this season.
Castel Malawi Limited sponsors the tournament to the tune of K440 million per year.
The company started sponsoring the tournament in 2023 as Bullets won the inaugural edition.
Wanderers were the second team to win it after beating Hammers 2-1 at Bingu National Stadium last year thanks to a goal from Sama Thierry Tanjong.
