All set for Castel Cup quarterfinals

The stage is set for the 2024 Castel Challenge Cup quarterfinals as six teams will be in action this afternoon.

At stake is a place in the semi-finals of the competition.

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Bangwe All Stars renew their rivalry when they face off in the quarterfinals at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Wednesday afternoon.

This is Wanderers’ only hope for silverware this season after missing out on the TNM Super League title, Airtel Top 8 and FDH Bank Cup.

On the other hand, Bangwe will hope for consolation after they were relegated from the TNM Super League on the last day of the campaign.

The Nomads are coming straight from a 2-1 win over Moyale Barracks in the league whereas Bangwe lost 4-1 to Creck Sporting Club.

Wanderers interim Coach Bob Mpinganjira said his charges were ready for the match.

“We expect a very tough match. As such, we need to be on top of our game,” Mpinganjira said.

This is the fifth meeting between the two teams this season. In the league, they drew 0-0 in the first round before Wanderers triumphed 1-0 in the second round.

Wanderers eliminated Bangwe from the Airtel Top 8 Cup after registering a 4-2 victory on post-match penalties after a 1-1 stalemate on aggregate. Bangwe Coach Trevor Kajawa said his boys were determined to cause an upset.

“Pressure will be on Wanderers. We will try to make life difficult for them,” Kajawa said.

In another quarterfinal match, giant killers Panthers face another biggest test when they face Civil Service United at Civo Stadium whereas Karonga United will face Mzuzu City Hammers at Karonga Stadium.

Panthers have already written their own piece of history in the competition after they knocked three Super League teams out of it.

They eliminated Mafco, TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers and Chitipa United on their way to the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, holders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will face Hilltop FC in the round-of-16 at Mzuzu Stadium this afternoon.

The winners between Hilltop and Bullets will face MMF Marine in the quarterfinals at Dedza Stadium this weekend.