Mzuzu City Hammers came from behind on Saturday to secure a last-eight slot in the 2025-26 Castel Challenge Cup, knocking Silver Strikers out of the tournament.
Head Coach Peter Mgangira maintained the squad that started in the Round of 32 match against Namitete Zitha FC the previous week.
The Central Bankers showed hunger early in the match, breaching spaces to find an opening goal.
Innocent Shema was the first to register his name on the scoresheet at 24 minutes when he headed home a Zebron Kalima cross.
Five minutes from time as we continued to pile pressure, Kalima controlled the ball beautifully in the 18-yard box and set up Charles Chipala whose shot was cleared by the goalkeeper.
The Central Bankers took the lead at halftime. At the break, Chipala was substituted for Andrew Joseph.
There was a slow start to the second half that saw the hosts return to the match.
Nine minutes into the last 45 minutes, Mzuzu City Hammers equalised through Aubrey Simbi who scored from a free kick.
At 69 minutes, the hosts played a passing move from the centre of the pitch going into our half and found Isaiah Nyirenda, who played the last touch to score and snatch the lead.
Ernest Petro and Binwell Katinji, were introduced for Dan Sandukira and Festus Duwe.
At 75 minutes, we played five back-to-back corners but Mzuzu City Hammers cleared the threat.
Ten minutes from time, Chinsinsi Maonga was introduced for Stanie Davie.
The hosts resorted to playing more delaying tactics. After the elapse of regulation time, eight minutes were added to the clock.
After regulation time, the match ended 2-1 in favor of Mzuzu City Hammers.
In post-match interviews, Mgangira said the loss was the result of complacency from his players but was quick to say the result was part of the game.
“It was a good game, we had chances in the first half but blew them. It’s football congratulations to Mzuzu City Hammers as this was not our day. The Castel Challenge Cup has been a curse to us as we haven’t been doing well but we will sit down and draw the positives from the season and see how we bounce back,” said Mgangira.
With the result, Silver Strikers has finished the 2025-26 season having won the 2025 FDH Cup.
