Peter Mponda
Silver Strikers Coach Peter Mponda was left gnashing his teeth after his side crashed out of the 2024 Castel Challenge Cup following a 4-3 post-match penalties loss to Chipiku Stores Premier Division side Panthers at Silver Stadium Tuesday.
The Central Bankers forced the match into the dreaded penalty shootouts after coming from two goals down.
Geoffrey Sumani scored the first goal for Panthers two minutes after the break before Junior Malidadi doubled the lead in the 50th minute.
However, substitute Duncan Nyoni scored a brace with 13 minutes to full time to force the match into penalties.
Suman was the hero of the day when he scored the decisive penalty for Panthers after goalkeeper Precious Masamba had saved Patrick Macheso’s penalty kick.
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Uchizi Vunga missed his spot kick for Silver.
This is the second time Silver have been eliminated by a second-tier side this season after they also lost 5-3 to Blue Eagles on post-match penalties in the 2024 FDH Bank Cup Round-of-32 at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe.
Panthers have progressed to the Castel Challenge Cup Round-of-16 stage.
The Chipiku Stores League side continued their fairy tale in the competition after they also eliminated another TNM Super League side Mafco 5-4 on post-match penalties after playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
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In a post-match interview, Mponda was disappointed.
“[I am] very disappointed with the performance and the result. If we underrate teams, this is what usually happens. It is the same thing that happened in the FDH Bank Cup. It is unfortunate that we are out but we have to accept it and move on,” Mponda said.
Panthers Coach Misheck Jere was delighted with the victory over Silver.
“We came with a plan to win the match. Our target is to reach the final,” Jere said.
In another match, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers eased past Chipoka United following a 10-1 victory at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Clement Nyondo scored a haul whereas Gaddie Chirwa netted a brace.
Francisco Madinga, Wisdom Mpinganjira, Adam Wallace and Isaac Kaliati scored a goal each.
