After weeks of upsets and bouts of despair, the 2024 Castel Challenge Cup edition draws to a close this afternoon when Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Mzuzu City Hammers clash in the final at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
A showpiece that charmed the fans with second-tier side Panthers FC’s fairy-tale giant-killing spree comes to an end today.
The Lilongwe-based rookies saw-off Mafco FC, the inaugural edition’s losing finalists and newly-crowned TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers, Chitipa United and Civil Service United.
But all good things must come to an end at some point and they too were shown the exit door by the Nomads in the semi-finals with a 3-0 thumping last weekend.
On the other hand, Hammers defied the odds to boot out holders FCB Nyasa Bullets 1-4 on post-match penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time, to set up this afternoon’s clash.
Today’s showdown promises to be a tight-throat affair with the winner carting home K55 million while the losing finalist will get K30 million less.
Both sides were an oasis of calm and appeared unfazed as they went through their final paces at the match venue yesterday.
The Nomads, who last won a silverware in 2022 after clinching the Airtel Top 8, will be out to cheer the spirits of their president and board chairperson Dr Thomson Mpinganjira, who has spent a fortune on the club, but with little to show for.
It will be a solace for their fans to end the season with a silverware and a timely Christmas present.
On their part, Hammers will be out to win their first major silverware.
The closest they got to winning a cup was three years ago when they lost to Silver in the final of the FDH Bank Cup.
Ironically, Hammers’ patron and co-owner Gift Mkandawire has a deep attachment to the Lali Lubani Road outfit as its former chairperson.
In an interview yesterday, Nomads acting coach Bob Mpinganjira said they anticipate a tough match.
He said: “To us, the importance of this match cannot be overemphasised. It has been a while since we last won a cup and this is our chance.
“Our preparations have gone on well. The boys look sharp, they have demonstrated hunger and we are optimistic of winning. But we expect a very tough match because we are up against a good side that is unpredictable.
“We appeal to the Wanderers fans to come and cheer their boys to victory tomorrow [today].”
His Hammers counterpart Kondwani Ikwanga also said they expect a tough match.
“This is a cup final, it can go either way. Our preparations are going on well, all is good in our camp,” he said.
“I trust God Almighty for many things He has done for me and this one is no exception. We believe God will be on our side. Whatever the case, win or lose, God comes first.”
Hammers were responsible for former Nomads Burundian coach Nsanzurwimo Ramadhan’s unceremonious departure when they beat them 2-0 in the first round of the TNM Super League in May this year.
But the Nomads showed no mercy in avenging that defeat when they came out with all their guns blazing to win 8-0 in the second round.
Baya Fatayo, Isaac Msiska and Isaiah Nyirenda are some of the men who carry Hammers’ hopes while the Nomads will look up to their leading scorer Isaac ‘Chair’ Kaliyati, Gaddie Chirwa, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Clement Nyondo, captain Lawrence Chaziya and Mischeck Botomani.
