* After failing to win their first FDH Bank Cup in the first-ever final since the championship was introduced five years ago
* We have the TNM Super League title and the Castel Challenge Cup ahead, it is important that we let go of today’s result and strategise
By Duncan Mlanjira
Mighty Wanderers coach, Bob Mpinganjira has asked his players to accept their fate and move on after losing 4-5 in post-match penalties of the FDH Bank Cup 2025 final following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
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Blessings Singini gave the Nomads the lead in the 23rd minute despite the Bankers early dominance of the game and they equalised in the 77th minute through Maxwell Paipi from the penalty spot after a Wanderers defender parried the ball away in the box using his hand.
The penalties were intense and dramatic as Wanderers goalkeeper Khunga saved three of them starting with the the first. but a crucial miss by defender Stanley Sanudi was the turning point for Silver to regain their composure as they converted the other four spot kicks to make it level.
Wanderers continued to miss their spot kicks despite being given a lifeline by Khunga’s two other saves leaving Mwase with the all-important kick that he converted to clinch the title.
“Penalties are always unpredictable,” Bob Mpinganjira is quoted as saying by Wanderers Media. “We gave it all but the result hasn’t gone our way. We have the TNM Super League title and the Castel Challenge Cup ahead, it is important that we let go of today’s result and strategise.
This was Mighty Wanderers’ first appearance in the final of FDH Bank Cup since its introduction five years ago in which the coach, who maintained his 3-5-2 formation he used in beating arch rivals 1-0 in the semifinal at Kamuzu Stadium, greatly missed the services of injured Wisdom Mpinganjira, Chirwa as well as Rajab Nyirenda who was cup-tied
The Bankers dominated the early minutes of the match inflitrating into the opponents half but it was the Nomads who jilted their hosts, when Singini’s made a perfect header from a corner kick.
The goal brought Wanderers some vigour to now control possession and nearly doubled their lead, but Silver’s defence of Maxwell Paipi, Nickson Mwase, and Innocent Shema held firm for the game to rest 1-0 at half time.
The Bankers made a double substitution, bringing out Dan Sandukira and Ernest Petro for Charles Chipala and Chinsisi Maonga — changes that brought some life to the side; thus under pressure from a long throw in, Wanderers defended unnecessarily parried away the ball in the box right under the watchful eye of the referee.
This is Silver Strikers second FDH Bank Cup title after winning the inaugural title in 2021 and in post-match interviews, coach Peter Mgangira spoke with Silver Media, saying the player “gave it all and a win was a good token to take home”.
“I am very happy that we have won the game and it feels so good. We are coming from a position that many doubted us but we have done it.
“This was a tough match against a good opponent and the boys came to the party and showed their brilliance. We are happy to be crowned champions,” said Mgangira, of the win that comes after they lost in the Airtel Top 8 earlier this year.
They are 3rd in the TNM Super League 2025 with 40 points being led at 51 points by Mighty Wanderers — one point ahead and with a game in hand of Nyasa Big Bullets.
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