BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Mighty Wanderers are through to the finals of the FDH Bank Cup after edging rivals FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 1–0 in a tense semifinal encounter played on Sunday afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Promise Kamwendo was the hero of the day, coming off the bench to score the decisive goal in the 89th minute from an Isaac Kaliati delivery that sent the blue side of Blantyre into wild celebrations.
The match, which lived up to its billing as a Blantyre derby, started with both teams showing intent and hunger for an early goal.
Bullets’ Chrispin Mapemba came close in the sixth minute but headed over the bar, while Wanderers’ Sama Thierry Tanjong saw his penalty appeals waved away midway through the first half.
Despite both sides creating several chances, the first half ended goalless with Wanderers goalkeeper Dalitso Khungwa and his Bullets counterpart Innocent Nyasulu keeping their teams in the game.
In the second half, Bullets made several changes, introducing Paul Master and Yamikani Mologeni, but they still struggled to break the resilient Wanderers defence marshalled by Timothy Silwimba and Stanley Sanudi.
The turning point came in the dying moments when substitute Kamwendo connected beautifully to Kaliati’s cross, slotting home the only goal of the match to send the Nomads into the final.
There were chaotic scenes towards the end as frustrated Bullets supporters threw objects onto the pitch but the match eventually concluded with Wanderers holding on for a famous victory.
Speaking after the match, Bullets coach Peter Mponda lamented his side’s missed chances and described Wanderers’ goal as “a fortunate strike.”
“We had the chances but didn’t make use of them. The goal Wanderers scored wasn’t from a clear opportunity, it was just a lucky one.We need to regroup and motivate the boys as we return to league action.”he explained.
On his part, Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira was full of praise for his charges.
“The boys fought hard from start to finish. Bullets played well but our determination and discipline made the difference,” he said.
“We now shift our focus to the final against Silver Strikers. We’ll prepare thoroughly because Wanderers have never won this cup before,”Mpinganjira explained.
The victory sets up a mouthwatering FDH Bank Cup final between Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers, who defeated Civil Service United 1–0 in the first semifinal.
The FDH Bank Cup, introduced in 2021, was last won by Blue Eagles, who beat Bullets 3–2 on post-match penalties in the 2024 edition.
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