Mighty Mukuru Wanderers president and board chairperson Thomson Mpinganjira says the players and coaches deserve their time in the sun for winning the Castel Challenge Cup after a two-year silverware drought.
The Nomads edged Mzuzu City Hammers 1-0 in the final on Saturday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe to to win the second edition of the cup. The last time they won silverware was around the same period in 2022 when they clinched the Airtel Top 8 after beating their rivals FCB Nyasa Bullets at the same venue.
the trophy. | Courtesy of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers
In an interview yesterday, the business mogul and philanthropist, said he was over the moon.
He said: “The excitement is not much really for me, but for the team. The technical panel and the players deserve this more than anybody else.
“People have taunted and laughed at them a lot. Now they can afford to walk tall. They have had the last laugh.”
Mpinganjira also hailed the supporters for their loyalty.
“Even when the chips were down, they never abandoned their team and that’s what is expected from a true and loyal supporter,” he said.
On whether the players and the technical panel should expect a special festive season pay for a job well done, he chuckled and said: “That is a secret only I will tell when I’m ready.
“For now, let [coach] Bob [Mpinganjira] and the boys enjoy and bask in the sun.”
Nevertheless, Mpinganjira, who has pumped in close to K2 billion in the past three seasons, opened up on the frustrations he encountered when the team could not win silverware.
“It’s very frustrating. You think about what is being pumped in and there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel, it sometimes feels like you should just walk away… A lot of times, but it’s one day at a time,” he said.
Nevertheless, caretaker coach Bob Mpinganjira dedicated the cup to Mpinganjira and the fans.
He said: “I know the best present for our president and the entire Nomads family would have been the league title, but I am sure they will bear with us and accept the cup.
“I’m excited that at least we have something to celebrate for during the festive season. We could have done better, but this could be the start of good things to come.”
The club’s chief executive officer Panganeni Ndovi said: “This victory means everything. After two years without silverware, it’s a sign that we’re on the right track. It’s a step towards making Mighty mighty again, and we’ll continue to work hard to restore the pride and glory of this great club. The journey is far from over, but this win shows we’re headed in the right direction.”
To spice it up, the Nomads’ forward Clement Nyondo, won the tournament’s golden boot with 13 goals and will cart home K1 million.
Meanwhile, the triumphant Nomads paraded the cup in the capital city in an open vehicle yesterday morning before their departure for their base in Blantyre.
Along the way, they stopped at, among others, Kamphata, Chimbiya, Dedza, Tsangano, Ntcheu and Chingeni where they were met by their supporters from Blantyre, Zalewa and Lunzu.
