Mighty Mukuru Wanderers advanced to the 2024 Castel Challenge Cup final following 3-0 victory over Leyman Panthers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday.
Goals from Clement Nyondo, Blessings Singini and substitute Gaddie Chirwa were enough to propel the Nomads to their first ever Castel Challenge Cup final.
They will wait for the winners between holders FCB Nyasa Big and Mzuzu City Hammers who will face-off in the semi-finals at Kamuzu Stadium this Tuesday.
The final is scheduled for this Saturday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. After a barren first half, Nyondo broke the deadlock when he connected Emmanuel Nyirenda’s ball into the net.
But Singini doubled Wanderers lead with a rebound after Panthers cleared the ball into the midfielders path who unleashed a powerful shot beating goalkeeper Precious Masamba.
Chirwa sealed the victory for Wanderers when he scored in the 87th minute.
Wanderers’ victory ended Panthers fairytale in the competition having eliminated four Super League teams namely last year’s losing finalists Silver Strikers, Mafco, Civil Service United and Chitipa United.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira felt his side deserved the victory.
” This is a good victory for us and the boys did well. We knew the first half was going to be tough but did not lose hope,” said Mpinganjira.
Mpinganjira said his charges will prepare well ahead of the final.
” We are ready to face any team. This is our last hope to win a trophy this season so we will try our best to prepare well,” said Mpinganjira.
On his part, Panthers assistant coach Innocent Mkandira said his boys lost concentration in the second half.
” We contained them in the first half but we made a mistake early in second half which demoralised us,” said Mkandira.
Furthermore, Mkandira said there were several positives from this year’s tournament.
” We are going home with several positives. Nobody gave us chance to beat four Super League teams but we showed great character,” said Mkandira.
Sponsored to the tune of K400million per year, the champions will pocket K55 million up from K50 million while the runners-up will get K25 million.
