By McLloyd Kudzingo
Thierry Sama scored the winner as Mighty Mukuru Wanderers beat Mzuzu City Hammers 1-0 in the Castel Challenge Cup final played on Saturday afternoon at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe.
The Nomads started the game very well as they got their first chance just 2 minutes from kick-off through Blessings Singini but the former Hammers’ midfielder’s shot went over the cross bar.
Two minutes later, Clement Nyondo almost put Wanderers in front but his shot went wide for a goal-kick to Hammers.
Other chances for Nomads came through Gaddie Chirwa and Misheck Botomani but again they failed to hit the back the net.
Hammers on the other hand had a few chances and they also failed to utilise them as it ended goalless in the first half.
At the start of the second half, Wanderers Coach Bob Mpinganjira introduced Thierry Sama and Wisdom Mpinganjira for Misheck Botomani and Francisco Madinga.
Just two minutes after his introduction, the Cameroonian found the back of the net as he fired past Hammers’ goalkeeper Chancy Mtete after receiving a pass from Isaac Kaliati.
Towards the end of the match, Hammers had a number of scoring opportunities to level the scores but their strikers were not clinical in front of goal with Samuel Adeyemi and Isaiah Nyirenda among the culprits.
For winning the cup, Wanderers will receive K55 million while Mzuzu City Hammers will go home with K25 million.
Semifinalists FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Panthers FC will receive K12 million each while Quarterfinalists will pocket K6 million.
Wanderers’ striker Clement Nyondo has finished the tournament as the top goal scorer with 13 goals and will walk home with K1 million.
