In football, some stories are loud from the start. Others take time to find their voice. For Peter Mgangira, the journey to his first major trophy as head coach has been slow, patient and quietly determined. But on a tense Sunday afternoon at Bingu National Stadium, his voice finally echoed across Malawi football as Silver Strikers defeated Mighty Wanderers 5-4 on post-match penalties to lift the 2025 FDH Bank Cup.
The match had ended 1-1 in regulation time, with both giants trading blows but refusing to fall. When the pressure peaked, it was Mgangira’s Silver who held their nerve. The Central Bankers walked away with K45 million, an increase from last year’s K35 million, while Wanderers settled for K20 million as runners-up.
For Silver, this triumph feels like a return to their natural territory.
The Bankers show
This was Silver Strikers’ second cup final of the season and their second FDH Cup final since the tournament’s inception in 2021. More importantly, it marked a return to the final after four long years — a drought that weighed heavily on supporters who still cherish the memory of the inaugural final.
That 2021 victory remains iconic in Area 47, a commanding 2-0 win over Ekwendeni Hammers, courtesy of goals from Frank Banda and Stain Davie. In that campaign, Silver also made a loud statement with a 3-0 semifinal demolition of Wanderers — a reminder of just how ruthless they can be in knockout football.
But between that triumph and Sunday’s success, the FDH Cup was nothing short of cruel. From 2022 to 2024, the Bankers were eliminated three consecutive times on post-match penalties:
2022: Lost 5-4 to Dedza Dynamos after a goalless draw
2023: Fell 10-9 to Moyale Barracks after a 1-1 stalemate
2024: Knocked out 5-3 by Blue Eagles in the Round of 32
Each defeat stung, and each one added pressure on the club to rediscover its winning identity. This year, they finally did.
Road warriors of 2025
Silver Strikers reached the final the hard way — without a single home match in the competition. Instead, they battled their way across tough grounds and came out looking like the most balanced side of the tournament.
Round of 32: 1-0 vs Mighty Tigers (Kamuzu Stadium)
Round of 16: 4-1 vs FC Shire (Civo Stadium)
Quarterfinal: 3-0 vs defending Champions Blue Eagles (Nankhaka Stadium)
Semifinal: 1-0 vs Civil Service United (Bingu Stadium)
Their numbers tell the story: 10 goals scored, just 2 conceded — dominance, discipline, and a coach who clearly understands how to navigate knockout football.
The Mgangira method
For Mgangira, this triumph is not just about a trophy; it is confirmation of a long apprenticeship finally paying off.
“I’m impressed with how the boys have performed this season. They’ve shown character despite many doubting us in the beginning,” he said after the win. It was a calm, humble reflection, characteristic of a man who rarely seeks the spotlight.
This is his debut season as a full-time head coach, yet his impact has been immediate: he has already lifted the Charity Shield and FDH Bank Cup trophies and led his team to an Airtel Top 8 Cup final, losing out to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets. Currently, Silver Strikers are in the top three in the TNM Super League.
Not bad for someone many viewed as a quiet figure behind the scenes.
Mgangira’s journey at Silver has been one of patience and growth. From several heroics as the team’s midfield kingpin on the pitch many years ago, he has matured like fine wine and he served as assistant coach under Daniel Kabwe, Pieter De Jongh and Peter Mponda, absorbing three different coaching philosophies while building his own. He was also part of the technical team that lifted the 2021 FDH Cup.
When Mponda delivered Silver’s first league title in 11 years last season, Mgangira stood beside him as deputy. When Mponda stepped aside, Silver handed the keys to the man who had spent years preparing quietly.
Now, he is writing his own chapter.
A new era taking shape
What makes his success noteworthy is not just the trophies, but the shift in mentality. Silver look calmer, tougher, and more disciplined under Mgangira. They defend with maturity, attack with control and handle pressure better than before.
He does not shout; he teaches. He does not chase headlines; his results find them for him.
And now, with his first trophy safely secured, the question becomes simple:
How far can Peter Mgangira take Silver?
For now, Area 47 is celebrating a coach who has stepped out of the shadows and into Silver Strikers history — where he now firmly belongs.
By Praise Majawa
