Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Mzuzu City Hammers, are familiar foes, and this afternoon, they will face-off in the 2024 Ibongetse Castel Challenge Cup final at Bingu National Stadium.
At stake is K55 million, up from K50 million last year plus a glittering trophy. The runners-up will pocket K25 million.
This is the first meeting between the two sides in a cup final.
However, Wanderers and Hammers (formerly Ekwendeni Hammers) have met eight times in the TNM Super League.
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Out of eight matches, Wanderers have won seven but lost once.
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Wanderers’ only loss to Hammers came in the first round this year when they were stunned 2-0 at Mzuzu Stadium.
But Wanderers hammered Hammers 8-0 in the second round match at Kamuzu Stadium.
On paper, statistics do not favour Hammers but in the world of football, upsets happen especially in cup matches.
Built on discipline and unity, Hammers have shown resilience to reach this far.
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Against all odds, Hammers stunned last year’s winners FCB Nyasa Big Bullets with a 4-1 post-match victory after a goal-less stalemate in regulation time at Kamuzu Stadium on Tuesday.
Their win over Bullets- the first time in the club’s history, is a sign that they have made progress and they are in for it against Wanderers this afternoon.
Unlike the top three giants, decorated with big names and substantial budgets, Hammers squad is a combination of youngsters and rejects from other clubs.
The odds were stacked against Hammers and very few gave them a chance to reach the final. Hammers remarkable journey in the Castel Challenge Cup is never short of fairy-tale as they have not conceded in regulation time.
Sounding calm, Hammers Coach Kondwani Ikwanga fancies the underdog tag.
“Our performance this season is not a flash in the pan. Let Wanderers underrate us at their own peril. We play football to entertain the crowd and we hope people will watch a good final,” Ikwanga said.
Apart from eliminating holders Bullets, Hammers also knocked out Mighty Tigers (1-0) in the round 16 before beating Karonga United 3-1 on post-match penalties after goal-less in regulation time.
In the round of 32, Hammers defeated Kameme FC 4-0.
Goalkeeper Chancy Mtete, Isaac Msiska, Isiah Nyirenda and Bayo Fatayo are some of Hammers’ key players.
Hammers will play in their second cup final in three years after they lost 2-0 to Silver Strikers in the inaugural FDH Bank Cup at BNS.
Promoted to Super League in 2019, Hammers finished fourth this season.
On the other hand, Wanderers will hope to end the season with silverware.
But they need to be at their best to beat Hammers. Wanderers interim coach Bob Mpinganjira knows a cup final is a tricky match.
“We know it will be a tough match. But we are prepared and ready for them,” Mpinganjira said.
On paper, Wanderers have a good squad blended with youngsters and seasoned campaigners. Captain Lawrence Chaziya will lead defence alongside Stanley Sanudi, Ahmed Kung’unde and Emmanuel Nyirenda.
Blessings Singini, who faces his old club, will be at the hub, with Isaac Kaliati, Wisdom Mpinganjira and Gaddie Chirwa likely to provide supply to the striking force of leading goal-scorer Clement Nyondo and Misheck Botomani.
Wanderers beat Creck Sporting Club 4-1 in the round of 16. In the round of 32, thye defeated Nsuwadzi 10-1.
In the quarterfinals, they demolished Bangwe All Stars 5-0 before beating Panthers 3-0 in the semi-finals.
Castel increased this year’s sponsorship to K400 million from K320 million.
Music performances from Fada Moi and Pisky will spice up the event.
Castel Malawi Head of Corporate Marketing and Communication Lavern Chitakata said they are expecting a thrilling final.
“The competition has been full of exciting full twists and turns,” she said.
