By Edwin Mbewe
MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Mzuzu City Hammers has caused severe harm to the Central Bankers as their dream of winning the Castel Ibongetse Challenge Cup, once again been short-lived and completely dented with a 2-1 loss at Rumphi Stadium in the round of 16 clash.
Silver Strikers, led by head coach Peter Mgangira, headed into the encounter as favorites to win, considering the head-to-head statistics between the two sides.
The stats show that Mzuzu City Hammers have failed to win any match in their last three meetings with the Bankers, recording average goals of 1.6 per match and conceding 0.2 goals per match.
In the past games, Bankers managed to score 9 goals while Hammers scored none.
On 10 August 2024, Silver won 2-0. On July 18, 2024, Silver won 3-0 before registering an emphatic 5-0 win in another match.
In Saturday’s game, the day promised the same for the Bankers as they were the first to score in the 24th minute through Innocent Shema’s stunning header from a well-taken corner kick by Zebron Kalima, which Innocent Kamwambi failed to clear.
Silver started on a high note as in the 6th minute, Festus Duwe saw his effort go over the crossbar after he received a beautiful ball from Charles Chipala.
In the 17th minute, Uchizu Vunga and Festus Duwe combined well in the midfield, which disturbed the home side’s type of play.
Bankers were aggressive when attacking.
Hammers settled into the game in the 33rd minute; they tried to retaliate through Chimwemwe Chunga, but the Bankers’ defense was always alert to contain the pressure.
In the 35th minute, Hammers played their first corner kick through Chunga, but Akeem Abioye’s header went over the crossbar.
This time, the host started coming into the game as they kept pressing the visitors.
Despite the numerous chances created by Mzuzu City Hammers in the first stanza, they failed to put the game at parity till the recess.
In the beginning of the second half, Mgangira made a change as he searched for more goals.
He substituted Charles Chipala for Andrew Joseph. In the 53rd minute, Mzuzu Hammers put the matter level through Aubrey Simbi’s stunning free kick, originating from a few meters from the center line.
Chikooka failed to trace the powerful shot that sailed through the crowd; it was 1-1.
In the 63rd minute, Hammers continued terrorizing the Bankers’ defenders through Alex Orotomal, halting Silver’s mobility.
The dominance didn’t go unnoticed as in the 68th minute, the home side took a lead through Isaiah Nyirenda after he was well set up by Chimwemwe Chunga.
Following the goal, Silver Strikers made a double change as Festus Duwe and Dan Sandukira paved the way for Binwell Katinji and Ernest Petro.
In the 78th minute, coach Peter Mgangira made another substitution as Stain Davie replaced Chinsinsi Maonga.
The changes seemed to have worked out for Mgangira as his side started piling pressure on the host defense in search of the equalizing goal.
However, Hammers made sure to lean on their 2-1 goal advantage.
Mzuzu City Hammers made a change in the 84th minute, bringing on Cliff Mbewe for Madalitso Safuli to strengthen their defense.
Jeremiah Kanyika came on for Samuel Amos in the 90th minute. In the dying minutes, Substitute Binwell Katinji nearly leveled for Bankers, but Jimmy Msiska defended very well.
As part of delaying tactics, Hammers substituted Chimwemwe Chunga for Maxwell Funsani, and soon the match ended, and Silver Strikers were confirmed out of the 2025 Castel Challenge Cup Quarterfinal at the hands of Mzuzu City Hammers with a 2-1 margin.
Mzuzu City Hammers have now booked a Quarterfinal clash against Mighty Wanderers. Meanwhile, Goshen City Dedza Dynamos have booked a Semifinal place following their away 2-0 win over Ekhaya FC at Chiwembe Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday.
