Mzuzu City Hammers yesterday booted holders Mighty Wanderers out of the Castel Challenge Cup with a 5-3 post-match penalty shootout victory at Rumphi Stadium. The two teams played out a one-all draw in regulation time. Following the win, Hammers will face FCB Nyasa Bullets in the semi-finals while Blue Eagles date Goshen City Dedza Dynamos in the other semi-final.
The Nomads appeared to be within sniffing distance of setting up a Blantyre derby against Bullets as they led 1-0 until the fourth minute of added time when the hosts levelled the scores with virtually the last kick of the game to send the match into the dreaded penalty shootout. Ironically, it was also Hammers who handed the Nomads their only defeat in the TNM Super League this season. After a goalless first half, Nomads’ midfielder Isaac ‘Tcheya’ Kaliyati broke the deadlock in the 50th minute through a penalty awarded after Cameroonian forward Thierry Sama Tanjong was fouled in the 18-yard box.
Hammers suffered a setback towards the end when they were reduced to nine men after Mathews Banda and captain Jimmy Msiska were shown red cards. But the hosts remained resilient and punched above their weight which paid off in the 94th minute when Hassan Luwembe, who was named player of the match, equalised to send the home fans into frenzy. In the penalty shootout, Hammers converted all their spot-kicks through Luwembe, Isiah Nyirenda, Alex Otomal, Aubrey Simbi and Jeremiah Kanyika.
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On the other hand, Blessings Singini, Sama and Blessings Mwalilino converted their spot-kicks for the Nomads while Stanley Sanudi missed. Hammers coach Lazarus Deco Nyemera said they were excited with the victory considering the circumstances, including playing with nine men in the closing stages. He said: “After beating them in the league, we knew they would come hard, but we came up with a good strategy for them.
Credit should go to the boys for fighting until the final whistle. “When we were reduced to nine men, we made some tactical chances which proved vital.” Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira admitted that they did not play well.
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