Rachael Kaphaizi

Their visit in the northern region was to make Wanderers Mighty Again but it was not made to be as in return it was Mzuzu City Hammers who were made Mighty.

That was the drama that was played at Rumphi Ground in the Castel Challenge Cup where Wanderers were knocked out in the quarterfinal stage.

What was more painful for the Nomads was that they went down to nine men, after two Hammers players were given matching orders remaining with only 9 in the field. 

The Nomads started the game brightly and took the lead in the 50th through Isaac Kaliati’s penalty, converting a spot kick after a foul on striker Sama Thierry. The goal energized the visitors which gave pressure to the hosts.

In the 70th minute, Mathews Banda for Hammers received a second yellow card. Two minutes later, captain Jimmy Msiska followed suit, leaving Hammers down to nine men.

Despite that, the Hammers kept fighting. Their hard work paid off in the 90+5 minutes when they equalised through Hassan Luwembe. The match then went to penalties where Hammers came out on top winning 5-3 after Wanderers’ defender Stanley Sanudi missed his spot kick.

Reacting to the win, Hammers’ assistant coach, Lazarus Deco Nyemera thanked his team for their hard work and fighting spirit.

“I am very happy with the result. Given the situation, I didn’t expect we would win, so let me thank my players for fighting really well and showing dedication,” he said.

Wanderers head coach Bob Mpinganjira admitted his team did not have their best game, saying they did not play very well today.

Hammers booted out Silver Strikers 2-1 on the same spot in the same competition to reach the quarterfinals.

They will face FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in the semifinals. Bullets knocked out Mighty Tigers 2-0 on Saturday at Kamuzu Stadium.

Penalties:
Hammers
Hassan Luwembe
Isaiah Nyirenda
Alex Orotomal
Aubrey Simbi
Jeremiah Kanyika

Wanderers
Blessings Singini
Blessinging Mwalilino
Sama Thierry
Stanley Sanudi (Missed)