MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-The Castel Challenge Cup quarter finals match between Mzuzu City Hammers and Mighty Wanderers ended in a nail-biting 5-3 penalty shootout win for Hammers after the game ended 1-1 at the end of regulation time at Rumphi Stadium.

The teams will went straight into penalty shootouts after a dramatic equalizer from the nine-man Mzuzu City Hammers in the dying minutes of the game.

The match had been finely poised at 1-1, with Wanderers taking an early lead through Isaac Kaliati’s penalty in the second half, only for Hammers to level the scores late on.

The drama didn’t end there, with two red cards in the space of three minutes, leaving Hammers with just nine players on the pitch.

Matthews Banda and captain Jimmy Msiska were the unfortunate recipients of the red cards.

Despite being down to nine men, Hammers managed to dig deep and equalize, setting the stage for the penalty shootout.

The shootout saw Hammers come out on top 5-3, securing their place in the next round of the competition.

The first half had been a tense and cagey affair, with neither team able to break the deadlock, and the score was 0-0 at halftime.

However, the second half saw Wanderers take the lead through Kaliati’s penalty, which was awarded after Nomads striker Sama Thierry Tanjong was fouled in the box.

Hammers responded with a late equalizer, and the game went to penalties, where they emerged victorious.

The win is a remarkable achievement for Mzuzu City Hammers, who will be looking to build on this momentum as they progress in the competition.