Africa-Press – Malawi. Silver Strikers and Mzuzu City Hammers will lock horns in the 2025 Castel Challenge Cup round of 16 at Rumphi Stadium this afternoon.
At stake is a place in the quarterfinals against defending champions Mighty Wanderers next week at a venue yet to be announced.
The two teams last met in the Super League but Silver won 3-0 at Silver Stadium in December.
This afternoon’s match presents Hammers a perfect opportunity for revenge.
Hammers coach Elias Chirambo said his charges have what it takes to upset Silver.
“We expect a very difficult match but there is renewed hope in our camp that we can get a good result. We are looking for a win,” he said.
Chirambo said he has the full squad ahead of the match.
On his part, Silver coach Peter Mgangira said facing Hammers is always a difficult task.
“We are playing a team that has quality. We are surprised that they got relegated. It is never easy especially when playing away but the players look hungry,” Mgangira said.
Mgangira has received a major boost as striker Andrew Joseph is back having missed some matches due to injury.
Meanwhile, Ekhaya and Goshen City Dedza Dynamos will face each other in the first quarterfinal match at Mpira Stadium this afternoon.
Both sides itch for their first appearance in the last four of the competition since it was introduced in 2023.
The winner between Ekhaya and Dedza will meet either Chitipa United or Blue Eagles in the semifinals. Chitipa and Eagles will meet at Chitipa Stadium tomorrow.
Inaugural winners FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will face Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium in the quarterfinals next week.
There is a potential Blantyre derby in the semifinals of the competition should both Bullets and Wanderers win their respective quarterfinals matches.
Wanderers are defending champions having beaten Hammers 1-0 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe last year.
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