Football paraded its touch of unpredictability when Mzuzu City Hammers sent out odds-on favourites and holders FCB Nyasa Bullets from the Ibongeste Castel Challenge Cup with a 4-1 post-match penalties victory at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre yesterday.
The People’s Team, who had never lost to Hammers prior to this fixture, were odds-on favourites and the anticipation was that the final would pit the inaugural winners against their arch-rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers this Saturday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
But it doesn’t always go according to script and it is Hammers who will face the Nomads this Saturday in the battle for the K55 million ultimate prize.
Sadly, Bullets will not be part of the Castel bash.
In front of an intimidating atmosphere, Hammers fought every inch of the way to come out of the trenches triumphant.
After playing out a goalless draw in regulation time, the match had to be determined by spot-kicks.
There was a touch of composure in the way the visitors took their penalties, with Eric Kaonga, Chisomo Promise, Isaiah Nyirenda and Bayo Fatayo converting all their spot-kicks with remarkable ease. No fear, no fuss.
On the other hand, when Collen Mujuru missed his spot-kick, Mapale as Bullets fans are popularly known, clung on top hope that Hammers would falter, but that didn’t happen as only captain Gomezgani Cheira converted for the hosts.
The toast of the afternoon for Hammers was goalkeeper Chancy Mtete who kept out Mujuru and Stanley Billiat’s spot kicks.
Hammers coach Kondwani Ikwanga hailed his charges for fighting their lungs out.
“They were disciplined and stuck to the game plan. We are excited to reach the finals, but the job isn’t over yet,” he said.
“We have a big task ahead and we switch our focus to the final.”
This is the second time for Hammers to reach the final of a major cup, having lost to Silver Strikers in the final of the 2021 FDH Bank Cup.
In open play, both teams had a plethora of chances, especially in the second half as desperation took a toll, but failed to make them count.
