By Edwin Mbewe
MZUZU-(Maravipost)-Blue Eagles FC aim to qualify for the first ever Semifinal of the Castel Challenge Cup as they face Chitipa United FC at Chitipa Stadium in the Quarterfinal on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The cops have failed to reach the Semifinal stage in the past two editions, being knocked out in the quarterfinal by FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers Strikers respectively.
This time around the team is eager and ready to fight for their way into the last four, to write its own history in the Castel Ibongetse Challenge Cup.
Head Coach Deklek Msakakuona says all is possible for the area 30 based cops to reach the last four stage but was quick to warn his arsenal about being complacent when meeting Chitipa United on Sunday.
“It’s a very important game for us, we are coming from two wins against Airborne Rangers and MAFCO to reach the Quarterfinal. Now the competition has reached its toughest stage not only for us but even Chitipa hence we just need to play our cards well but as a team we are ready for the clash.
“Indeed we have failed to reach the Semifinal in the past editions but this is a new cup and we have to look forward to it. Our aim is to progress to the final and even grab the championship, all my players are ready for the match and they know Chitipa is a good side heading into this battle”, Msakakuona said.
To qualify for the Quarterfinals Blue Eagles FC defeated MAFCO FC 0-1 away at Champion Stadium courtesy of Pius Saka’s goal in the round of 32 before thrashing a Central Region Premier Division League outfit, Airborne Rangers 1-5 at the same venue.
Tonic Viyuyi scored a brace for Deklek Msakakuona’s coached side, with other goals scored by Micium Mhone, Chikondi Mvula and Pius Saka who was also an architect for the three goals in the match and was later voted player of the match.
Pius Saka has been so instrumental to Eagle’s campaign in this cup banging two player of the match accolades in the two games the cops have played.
Heading into the game head coach Deklerk Msakakuona depends on both experience and skills from the old guns and young stars.
He has the likes of John Banda, Ganizani James, Captain Gilbert Chirwa, Sankhani Mkandawire, Maxwell Gustavo and Tonic Viyuyi among others who have won cups with different teams before.
However, the team also has the young stars including Pius Saka, Webster Mzunda, Bennet Konyo, Chikondi Mvula, Davie Malenguka, Precious Masamba just to mention but a few.
Chitipa United second General Secretary Joseph Mushani says they are equally ready for the battle and that Blue Eagles FC must be well prepared for it.
“We have prepared well and are ready for the match, many doubted us as we faced Kamuzu Barracks in round 16 but we made it.
“Chitipa plays without pressure and this is not the first time to play Eagles in our backyard, we defeated them before in the league”, explains Joseph.
In the 2025 TNM Super League season Blue Eagles managed to defeat Chitipa United at home Nankhaka Stadium with a 3-1 margin likewise Chitipa used home ground advantage to beat Eagles 1-0 at home Chitipa Stadium.
Heading into this match head-to-head statistics favours the Cops.
The two teams have met six times in all competitions and Blue Eagles managed to win in three meetings, Chitipa won twice with one game ending in stalemate.
The Eagles scored 14 goals against 8 for Chitipa in those games. Winner between the two sides in Sunday’s clash will play Goshen City Dedza Dynamos who thrashed Ekhaya FC 0-2 to reach the Semifinal.
The area 30 based cops have been cup specialists in the past years as they grabbed several including Fisd Challenge Cup, Chibuku Cup, Carlsebrg Cup, FDH Cup and Airtel Top 8 Cup.
The total Sponsorship package of the 2025 Castel Challenge Cup is at MK440 million, the champion receives K50 million and the winner also earns a spot in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions Cup.
Runner-up receives K25 million, teams that reach the Semifinals receive K10 million each with the Quarterfinalists getting K5 million.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets were the first team to win the Castel Ibongetse Challenge Cup in its inception in 2023 after defeating Silver Strikers in post match penalties 4-2 at the Bingu National Stadium and Mighty Wanderers won the second edition of the cup in 2024.
