Silver Strikers have won the 2025 FDH Bank Cup after defeating Mighty Wanderers 5-4 on post-match penalties after the game ended 1-1 in regulation time at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday.
Wanderers opened the scoring on the 24th minute through Blessings Singini. It was a corner from Isaac Kaliati and Singini rose the highest to bless his side with a lead.
Silver Strikers responded on the 77th minute through Maxwell Paipi’s penalty.
What had led to the goal was a throw in by McDonald Lameck, which went long into the penalty box, but Wanderers’ Timothy Silwimba and their captain, Felix Zulu, rose to head away this attempt. But the ball reached Zulu’s forearm to concede a penalty.
Paipi stood up to take the penalty and sent it to the bottom right to make it 1-1, this is despite Wanderers’ goalie, Dalitso Khungwa guessing the right way and make a slight touch into his net.
Celebrations erupted into the right corner flag, where officials of Silver Strikers and some players rushed to celebrate together.
High-octane Penalty shoot-out
As the two teams were tied 1-1 up until the regulation time was over, referee Easter Zimba blew his final whistle to send the game into penalties.
Mighty Wanderers’ Kaliati was the first to take the penalty and he scored, without pressure, to the right. Chikooka did manage to guess the right way, but he was simply not good enough.
Silver Strikers had their chance with Emmanuel Allan. Unfortunately, he missed. He sent it to the left and Wanderers’ Khungwa managed to save it, despite the ball hitting the top bar.
Blessings scored for Wanderers in his turn of the penalty. It was a strong penalty to the right, which Chikooka, who went the right wasy, was once again beaten.
Silver Strikers’ Maxwell Paipi, who was well composed, had his time for the penalty kick and he scored to the top left, while Khungwa dived low on the same side.
Then it was Wanderers’ Clement Nyondo’s time. He scored to the left, sending Silver Strikers’ Chikooka the wrong way. It was an easy shot from the attacker to make it 3-1.
The Central Bankers responded with a similar fashioned penalty kick goal from Innocent Shema.
Nonetheless, The Nomads’ Stanley Sanudi had his penalty sent wide to the right, where Chikooka had also guessed.
This made Silver to level up through Binwell Katinji who scored by sending the ball to the left and Khungwa the other way, then it was 3-3.
Next up was Emmanuel Nyirenda for Wanderers. He scored with an easy shot that seemed modest from his caliber. His goal was to the left, sending Chikooka the wrong way.
Now, as the teams stood 4-3, it was Silver’s Chinsinsi Maonga who had the last penalty to decide his team’s fate. The pressure was pilling on his shoulders and his side’s keeper, Chikooka, was seen at a distance kneeling and praying… His prayers were instantly answered! He sent it to the left, and Khungwa saved it into his own net to make it 4-4. Chikooka went to hug his lad in minimal celebrations.
Missed penalties spree
Now it was Wanderers’ goalie’s time to take the penalty.
Khungwa made a very strong shot and sending it over the bar! Some celebrations were seen and heard throughout the stadium.
But it was not yet over. It was Silver Strikers’ MacDonald Lameck to take the penalty and he sent the ball to the right, only for Khungwa to save it.
The goalkeeper did not hide his excitement as he went to the right corner to jump into wild celebrations.
Now it was Wanderers’ Masiya Manda’s time to take the penalty. His attempt was saved by Chikooka, and some disappointed looks started to be seen among the other teams’ side.
Silver’s Charles Chipala, who was also having pressure for that penalty, sent it to the… left, and Khungwa saved it again! Chipala lied down on the pitch in disbelief that he missed it.
Peter Cholopi for Wanderers also had his time to decide. But, once again, his penalty was saved by Chikooka.
It was time for Chikooka to take his penalty.
Sadly, he also missed it as his fellow kepper, Khungwa, dived to the right to save it with his right hand, despite the attempt being a thunderous one. Chikooka also lied down on the pitch, to express his disappointment.
Now it was Wanderers’ Timothy Silwimba’s time for the penalty, but his penalty was saved by the Central Bankers’ goalie.
The winning kick
Now, it was Mwase, for Silver, to take his other penalty and he managed to slot it home as he sent Khungwa the wrong way when his attempt went to the right.
Mwase went straight to Chikooka and other Silver Strikers and officials, knowing that they have won it, went on to pile on both players to celebrate.
On the other hand, Wanderers players and technical panelists, who were on the centre circle, lied faces flat on the ground in disappointment, knowing they lost 5-4 on penalties.
The First – Half
In the first half of this game was a lively and competitive, but Wanderers had an edge and showing greater efficiency in attack.
In the 4th minute, Silver Strikers made the first attempt on target of the game through a tame shot that was easily gathered by Wanderers goalkeeper Khungwa.
The Nomads had their chance to capitalise in the 7th minute as Blessings Mwalilino was brought down outside the box, earning Wanderers a free kick in a promising position.
Kaliati stepped up to deliver, but the Silver defence cleared comfortably.
Wanderers came again five minutes later when Promise Kamwendo was released down the left flank. He laid it off for Kaliati, who cut inside and shot from distance — but it went wide of the mark.
In the 16th’ minute, Silver squandered a golden chance. Macdonald Lameck floated in a beautiful cross to find Andrew Joseph unmarked in the box, but his free header went agonisingly wide.
Five minutes later, Wanderers’ Silwimba tried his luck from long range, but his effort was wayward.
But just a couple minutes later, in the 23rd minute, Wanderers had their goal as Blessings Singini rose highest to head home from Isaac ‘Chair’ Kaliati’s precise corner kick. The Nomads drew first blood.
10 minutes later, Wanderers almost doubled their lead.
Adam Wallace drove down the left and picked out Kamwendo, but the striker’s header flew over the bar.
Moments later, Kaliati also missed a free header from another Wallace cross. Wanderers looked dangerous from wide areas.
Frustration began to show for Silver as Macdonald Lameck was booked for dissent after exchanging words with the assistant referee.
On the 45+1’ it was a close call for Silver’s Uchizi Vunga who had cut in from the right and fired a thunderous strike just wide of the far post. That would have been spectacular.
A minute later, there was heartbreak for Silver! Zebron Kalima delivered a brilliant cross to Andrew Joseph, whose header rattled the left post. They came inches away from levelling just before the break.
Second – Half
In the second half, Silver Strikers decided to resort for re-enforcements on their bench. Dan Sandukira alongside Ernest Petro were taken off for Chinsisi Maonga and Charles Chipala.
But it was Wanderers who started with a clear attacking intent.
In the 46th minute, Kaliati had a chance to double his team’s lead but his attempt was shot wide.
Then Wanderers also made changes of their own when Sama Thierry Tanjong entered the scene for Blessings Mwalilino.
After this, Mighty Wanderers were controlling proceedings as evidenced on the 56th minute when Sama managed to beat defenders, as he made a through-ball to find Adam, who was inside the box, he was brought down but the referee let the match to continue.
Ten minutes later, Silver Strikers managed to break the Nomad’s defence after regaining possession in midfield. Levison Maganizo sent a cross to Vunga who made a shot and missed his target by sending it over the bar.
In the 65th minute, Promise Kamwendo picked up an injury and he was replaced by Clement Nyondo.
A minute later, Lameck made a long throw-in and found Joseph, who headed it over the bar.
In the 77th minute, then Silver were awarded a penalty after the hand-ball incident and Paipi managed to score.
As the minutes were going into the penalty shootouts, Wanderers decided to take off Sama for Masiya Manda, Peter Cholopi for Adam. All those who were introduced are defenders.
At this stage, Wanderers were now pressing hard to make a final blow, but they were still denied, due to them not being clinical .
In the 90th minute, Silvers’ had a counter-attack chance. Joseph set up a through pass to Charles Chipala to finish it, as they were already in the box.
However, Khungwa decided to risk himself and managed to pick the ball from Chipala’s foot, an action that made him to be injured and the game was halted for about two minutes as medical practitioners rushed into the field to attend for him.
At the same time, Silver Strikers made changes, that were seen as potential penalty takers. Binwell Katinji and Emmanuel Allan were introduced for Andrew Joseph and Zebron Kalima.
After the game ended, Wanderers’ Blessings Singini was awarded the man of the match. But he was seen crying since his side lost the final.
Post-match reactions
Coach for Mighty Wanderers, Bob Mpinganjira, said penalties are unpredictable as it goes either side.
Mpinganjira added that his team did not play their usual game, but still lauded his side for a good performance, especially in the first half.
“We have accepted the loss and we (will) switch our focus on the league. It showed in the first whistle that we had shortfalls. I don’t know, maybe it is fatigue,” he said.
Silver Strikers Coach, Peter Mgangira, said despite him being very happy with the win, he made it clear that it was not an easy journey for them.
“So many people doubted us because we have a young technical panel. But going into the game, it was tough and very competitive. We had so many chances, we could have maybe won the game in the 90 minutes and thanks to my players for not giving up when we were 1-0 down,” he said.
This means Silver Strikers have banked home K45 million, while Wanderers will take K20 million.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President, Fleetwood Haiya, appreciated the winning team and fans from both teams for displaying ‘true sportsmanship and unity’.
“Congratulations to Silver Strikers Football Club for winning the 2025 FDH Bank Cup after a thrilling penalty shootout in the final against Mighty Wanderers Football Club,” he said this through his Facebook page.
Where they are coming from
Silver went into this game after defeating Civil Service United 1-0, through Andrew Joseph’s 88th minute strike.
Wanderers reached this stage when they defeated FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 1-0 , through a Promise Kamwendo’s header on the 88th minute too.
The two losing semi-finalists, Bullets and CIVO, will each receive K8 million.
This is Silver Strikers’ second title after they won it in 2021 when they managed to beat Ekwendeni Hammers 2-0 at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, with goals from Frank Banda and Stain Davie in the first and second halves.
