How Bullets sailed to the finals.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have secured their spot in the Castel Challenge Cup final, which is scheduled for this Saturday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, following an exhilarating journey.
The People’s Team will compete against Goshen City Dedza Dynamos for the prestigious trophy.
This match presents them with an opportunity to claim their second Castel Cup title after winning the inaugural cup in 2023.
So, what has the journey been like?
Round of 32:
The adventure commenced early in the tournament with a Round of 32 match against Songwe Border United at Karonga Stadium.
Bullets showcased their strength by achieving a convincing victory, advancing to the Round of 16 with Maxwell Gasten Phodo’s hat trick in a 3-0 triumph.
Round of 16:
In the Round of 16 at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Bullets faced lower league team Ndirande Stars in a crucial knockout match.
Ephraim Kondowe equalized in the 50th minute, followed by a brace from Maxwell Gasten Phodo, securing a comeback win.
Quarterfinal:
The quarterfinal encounter, also at Kamuzu Stadium, saw Bullets take on Mighty Tigers.
Bullets exhibited resilience and offensive prowess, with Maxwell Phodo leading the charge, scoring twice to turn the match around and clinching a 2-0 victory.
Semifinal:
At Kamuzu Stadium, Wongani Lungu delivered a memorable performance, scoring in both halves to help Bullets dominate and achieve a 2-0 win.
Lungu netted a brace against his former team, Mzuzu City Hammers.
His precise finishing and leadership on the field ensured that the red army confidently advanced to the final.
Final Showdown:
With the final now set, Bullets will face Goshen City Dedza Dynamos for the Castel Challenge Cup this weekend.
The Dynamos reached the final after narrowly defeating Blue Eagles FC 4-3 on penalties in their semifinal.
In a recent interview, Bullets interim Coach Gilbert Chirwa described the journey as challenging and praised his players’ resilience throughout.
“We have been taking it one game at a time. You have witnessed the players’ determination throughout the season,” said the coach.
The Dedza storyline to the final
When the 2025/26 Castel Challenge Cup commenced, few would have predicted that Goshen City Dedza Dynamos would reach the finals.
Typically recognized for their tenacity rather than their trophies, the Dedza-based team entered the tournament quietly, yet they emerged as one of the most captivating cup narratives in their history.
Round of 32:
The Dynamos kicked off their Castel Cup journey with a 3–1 victory away against Creck Sporting in the Round of 32, with contributions from Chikondi Mbeta, Chifuniro Mpinganjira, and Luke Chima propelling them into the Last 16.
Quarterfinal:
In the quarterfinals, Dedza Dynamos triumphed over Ekhaya FC with a score of 2–0 in a closely fought match at Mpira Stadium.
The team displayed impressive defensive organization and concluded the game strongly with two goals in the second half.
Semifinal:
During the semifinal at Kamuzu Stadium, Dynamos went up against Blue Eagles FC.
The Eagles took the lead late in the match with a goal from Micium Mhone in the 83rd minute, but the yellow boys were determined not to concede defeat.
Gift Magola found the net deep into stoppage time to level the score and push the match to penalties.
In the penalty shootout, Dedza Dynamos maintained their composure and secured a 4–3 victory, earning their first-ever spot in the Castel Challenge Cup final.
According to their coach, Alex Ngwira, the outcomes were well-deserved and not mere luck.
“The team demonstrated resilience and poise, coming back from behind and finishing strong in critical moments. We aim to carry that spirit into the final,” he stated.
They are set to face FCB Nyasa Big Bullets at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, scheduled for this Saturday 21 February 2026.