By McLloyd Kudzingo
The journey for Second tier Chipiku Central Region Football League side Panthers FC in the Castel Challenge Cup, came to an end on Sunday following a 3-0 defeat against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Panthers reached the semi-finals of the Castel Cup after defeating four Super League clubs namely Mafco FC, Chitipa United, Super League champions Silver Strikers and another capital city giant Civil Service United.
Oozing with confidence, the team came to Blantyre carrying the hopes of their followers and they managed to hold Wanderers to a goalless first half to the excitement of some football fanatics who began to believe that Panthers were on the verge of writing another story in the book of Malawian football history.
In the second half, the home side looked more hungry for goals, creating a number of scoring opportunities and they were rewarded in the 56th minute when Clement
Nyondo connected home a cross from Emmanuel Nyirenda.
Blessings Singini doubled the lead for the Nomads in the 68th minute as he scored with a powerful shot outside the penalty box.
Gaddie Chirwa sealed the victory for Wanderers two minutes before the end of the regulation time as his shot was deflected into the net by a Panthers defender.
This was the end of the road for Panthers FC, a team that won the hearts of many for their impressive performance in the tournament.
After the match, Nomads midfielder Blessings Singini was voted man of the match and received a cheque of MK 150,000 from Smile Life Insurance Company.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who have just been voted the Best team of the year at Malawi Broadcasting Corporation-MBC’s Entertainer of the Year program, will face the winner between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mzuzu City Hammers who are playing in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
