Mighty Wanderers yesterday crashed out of the inaugural FDH Bank Cup after losing 3-0 to an enterprising Silver Strikers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Striker Patrick Macheso, midfielder Blessings Tembo and left back Mark Fodya were on target as the Central Bankers booked a final against Ekwendeni Hammers.
Apart from a few attempts in the first 10 minutes, Wanderers put up a subdued performance.
It was Silver who created more chances, drew a series of saves from Wanderers goalkeeper Richard Chipuwa.
After last week’s Wanderers league win, it was Silver who turned the tables this time with a fine performance.
Zambian coach Dan Kabwe’s side are famed for their defensive solidity and their superb organisation qualities that were on full display, but it was their poor finishing prevented the margin to be bigger at recess.
Wanderers, who had all their best arsenals, including Yamikani Chester, Vincent Nyangulu, Vitumbiko Kumwenda, Alfred Manyozo and Rafik Namwela Wanderers could not muster worthwhile offensive, limiting their passing game in their own half.
On the other hand, Silver were always pressing hard dismantling Wanderers defence.
Tawonga Chimodzi, Zebron Kalima, Blessings Tembo and Patrick Macheso had supreme control of the midfield.
They powered forward in waves of attacks but striking duo Maxwell Phodo and Stain Davie were not clinical enough.
Phodo was denied a goal in one-on-one situation against Chipuwa who left his line to frustrate the striker.
A couple of minutes later, Davie was in a good position, but shot straight at Chipuwa after being fed a good ball by Kalima.
The home team broke through in the 30th minute when Macheso took advantage of a lapse in communication by Wanderers defenders to squeeze the ball into the net past Chipuwa.
Macheso wasted a chance to cement the lead soon after when he shot over just outside the 18 yard box after a good pass from Phodo.
There was little change to the pattern of the game after the interval with Silver peppering Wanderers goal but Chipuwa was on top of his game.
Chipuwa was on call twice, denying efforts from Davie and Macheso.
But he was helpless to stop a long drive from Tembo in the 58th minute.
Unmarked and not closed in, Tembo unleashed a powerful shot that zoomed past Chipuwa to extend Silver lead.
Wanderers brought in Felix Zulu, who replaced an out of form Vitumbiko Kumwenda, but he did not have any impact as the home team surged ahead in numbers.
Phodo again was awful in the 67th minute fluffing another good chance after being fed a good ball by Chimodzi.
To stabilise play and maintain the status quo, Silver made three changes introducing Rodwell Roberts, Chinsisi Maonga and Herbert Wayekha and Young Chimodzi Jnr for Phodo, Maxwell Paipi, Tawonga Chimodzi and Davie.
The home team killed the game with a super strike from Fodya in added on time, powering his side into the cup’s final.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira blamed the loss on lapse in focus.
He said: “Poor coordination ad also communication led to us playing a below par game. We could not focus and play our usual game. There was no team work and that cost us the game.”
Silver assistant coach McDonald Yobe heaped praise on his players for responding to last week’s loss in TNM Super League to the Blantyre-based giants.
He said: “We witnessed great football. It was an all-round massive performance.
“We are all proud of the boys. Now we need not lose focus or grow complacent but work hard to achieve our goals.”
The final will be played on September 26.
