Mzuzu City Hammers booked a place in the 2024 Castel Challenge Cup final following a 4-1 victory over holders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets on post-match penalties at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Tuesday.
Hammers will face Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the final scheduled for Bingu National Stadium this Saturday after the latter defeated Central Regional Football League side Leyman Panthers 3-0 on Sunday.
After goal-less in regulation time, the penalties had to separate men from boys. But Hammers showed grit as they reached their second cup final in three years.
The last reached the final in the 2021 FDH Bank Cup final but lost 2- to Silver Strikers at Bingu National Stadium.
This time, they will be hoping for a turnaround of fortunes against Wanderers, who are also looking to finish the season with at least a silverware.
Goalkeeper Chancy Mtete was the hero of the day when he saved two penalties from Zimbabwean Collins Mujuru and Stanley Billiati before Bayo Fatayo scored the decisive penalty for Hammers.
Eric Kaonga, Chinonzo Promise and Isiah Nyirenda also converted their penalties for Hammers while captain Gomezgani Chirwa was the only Bullets player who scored his spot kick.
Both teams created some chances in regulation time but lacked composure upfront. On the other hand, both goalkeepers made some crucial saves in regulation time.
Hammers could have won the game in regulation time but Nyirenda failed to put the ball into the net with only goalkeeper to beat in the 81st minute.
Bullets substitute Babatunde Adepoju missed a chance when his rebound went wide after Mtete had initially fumbled Llyod Aaron’s free kick with two minutes to full time.
In added time Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa gambled when he substituted Ernest Petro for Mujuru. Eventually, Mujuru saw his penalty saved by Hammers goalkeeper.
Bullets exit in the competition means there will be no Blantyre derby final this season.
In post-match interview, Pasuwa said fatigue took its toll on his charges. ’’The body language was not okay. The boys were tied and they could not push forward. As a coach I felt pity for them when they were playing. A body cannot recover in two days. But penalties are lotteries,’’ said Pasuwa.
Taking his turn, visibly delighted Hammers assistant coach Kondwnai Ikwanga said luck was on their side.
’’God is the greatest. We have shown what God can do. But above all, we were also tactically good in the first half. We have a good team and we also prepared well,’’ said Ikwanga.
The champions of this year’s Castel Challenge Cup will pocket K55 million, up from K50 million while the runners-up will get K25million.
