By Mabvuto Kambuwe & Mphatso Malidadi:
All is set for the launch of the inaugural Castel Challenge Cup dubbed Ibongetse at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe today.
To mark the launch of the cup, there are lot of activities that have been organised to spice up the event.
FCB Nyasa Bullets and Silver Strikers will face-off in a ceremonial match.
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This is the third meeting between the two sides this season.
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In the opening match of the TNM Super League, the two teams shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw at the same venue. They also met in the Kamuzu Day 50 minutes celebration match in which Bullets won 1-0 at Civo Stadium last month.
Both teams will miss some of the players who are with the Flames in Mozambique as they will face Ethiopia next Tuesday.
Silver have contributed Chimwemwe Idana, Nixon Mwase and Patrick Macheso whereas Bullets have Alick Lungu, Blessings Mpokera and Lanjesi Nkhoma.
Bullets Assistant Coach Peter Mponda will lead the team in the absence of Kalisto Pasuwa, who is in Zimbabwe for a course.
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Mponda said the match will be an opportunity to give some players game-time.
“It is a very important game for us and we have a job to protect the brand,” Mponda said.
However, Silver coach Pieter de Jongh was yet to respond to our questionnaire as we went to press.
After the match, the fans will be treated to a party with live music performances from Black Missionaries, Lucius Banda, Symon and Kendal, Lulu, Skeffa Chimoto among others.
Castel Malawi Head of Marketing Frank Binauli said preparations for the exhibition match and unveiling of the cup were complete.
“The biggest cup in the history of Malawi football is finally here. All is set. We will use the match between Bullets and Silver to officially kick-off the campaign ahead of actual fixtures which will start in July.
“For the launch event, we will unveil the cup with pomp and fanfare. Apart from the football match, fans can look forward to enjoying music, food and Castel brands,” he said.
Binauli said the exhibition match will be marked by various exciting activities notable ones being cup presentation by Malawian top woman footballer Tabitha Chawinga, and the reigning Miss Malawi. The icing of the cake for football fans is an all-night music show featuring Malawi’s top musicians and bands.
The concert, to be set outside the BNS premises, will start soon after the game and continues until Sunday.
Outside the stadium, soccer fans will be treated to beautiful scenery of food stalls and bars.
“The music concert starts soon after the match and will take fans into the night. It will continue Sunday afternoon, to ensure maximum entertainment for the fans,” Binauli said.
The company made a return to football after five-year absence with Castel Challenge Cup ‘Ibongetse’- valued at K320 million per year.
There is something special about this competition. The national champion will pocket K50 million-the highest prize money in domestic football, with the runners-up getting half the amount.
That is not all; the two semi-finalists will receive K10 million each whereas the four quarterfinalists will get K5 million each.
In addition, the district champions will pocket K750,000 each whereas 17 teams that will qualify from the regional level will get K1 million each. Player of the Tournament and Golden Boot award winner will each get K500,000.
Interestingly, the competition will start at district level- providing a good platform to expose hidden talent. By being played in the rural areas, the competition also offers great entertainment to all Malawians.
