Mighty Wanderers, the 2025 Super League champions, were left stunned as relegated Mzuzu City Hammers, reduced to nine men, forced penalties and pulled off a sensational Castel Challenge Cup victory.
At Rumphi Stadium on Sunday, the Hammers achieved a remarkable 5-3 penalty shootout win following a 1-1 draw, defying the odds despite playing almost 20 minutes two men down. Their fearless display left the league champions struggling under pressure.
The game started with Wanderers dominating possession and probing the Hammers’ defence.
Wisdom Mpinganjira missed a golden early opportunity, and repeated set-piece threats were brilliantly dealt with by goalkeeper Innocent Kamwambi and a disciplined backline.
The breakthrough came in the 47th minute when Sama Thierry Tajong was fouled in the box, and Isaac Kaliati calmly converted the penalty to put Wanderers ahead.
But Mzuzu City’s resistance was far from over. Red cards for Mathews Banda and Jimmy Msiska in the 70th and 72nd minutes reduced the home side to nine men.
Even at a numerical disadvantage, the Hammers refused to yield. In stoppage time, Hassan Lwembe scored a dramatic equaliser to force penalties.
From the spot, Mzuzu City were flawless, converting all five attempts to clinch a 5-3 shootout victory, leaving the Nomads shell-shocked.
This was not Mzuzu City’s first giant-killing act in the tournament, they had earlier come from behind to eliminate Silver Strikers in the quarter-finals.
Sunday’s victory, however, against the reigning league champions, cements their status as Castel Challenge Cup dark horses.
The Hammers will now meet FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in the semi-finals, while Mighty Wanderers are left to reflect on how a nine-man side exposed their shortcomings.
