Bob Mpinganjira admits ‘tough victory’ over Bullets as Wanderers eye historic FDH Cup triumph

Nomads Edge Rivals in Dramatic Fashion to Reach Final

Mighty Wanderers head coach Bob Mpinganjira has acknowledged the difficulty of his team’s semifinal victory over FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, describing it as one of their toughest encounters despite maintaining their winning streak against their fierce city rivals.

The Nomads secured a dramatic 1-0 victory on Sunday when Promise Kamwendo struck in the 88th minute, sending Wanderers through to their first FDH Bank Cup final in five years. They will face Silver Strikers next Sunday at Bingu National Stadium in what promises to be a thrilling conclusion to the competition.

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Sunday’s semifinal clash presented a stark contrast to Wanderers’ previous two encounters with Bullets this season. In their earlier meetings, the Nomads had completely dominated their rivals, registering a 1-0 victory in the first round of the TNM Super League before administering a comprehensive 3-0 thrashing in the second round. In both matches, Wanderers were superior in every department, controlling possession, creating chances, and dictating the tempo of the game.

However, the cup semifinal told a different story. Bullets arrived at the stadium with renewed determination and tactical adjustments that troubled the league leaders throughout the match. For long periods, the Peter Mponda-coached side looked the more likely to break the deadlock, testing Wanderers’ defensive resolve and goalkeeper with sustained pressure.

“It was a very good and tough game because Bullets came with new ideas and they played very well,” Mpinganjira admitted in his post-match assessment. “In short, I can say that it was a balanced game, but I’m just happy that we have finished on top.”

Unlike their previous meetings, where Wanderers had been dominant from start to finish, Sunday’s match required resilience, tactical discipline, and a moment of late brilliance to secure victory.

Breaking the Final Drought

The victory carries special significance for Mighty Wanderers, who have endured four consecutive seasons without reaching the FDH Bank Cup final. For a club of their stature and history, this drought has been a source of frustration for both the technical team and the passionate Nomads faithful.

Mpinganjira, who was handed a one-year contract earlier this season, has repeatedly emphasized that winning the FDH Bank Cup represents a primary objective for the club. The tournament holds additional sentimental value given that it is sponsored by FDH Bank, owned by Wanderers President Thom Mpinganjira, making the pursuit of the trophy both a sporting and symbolic priority.

“Our aim is to do well in this competition, we have never won it and our mission is to win this tournament,” Mpinganjira stated emphatically. “But it will depend on our hard work. We are playing against Silver Strikers and we will try to do well.”

The coach’s determination is evident, but he remains realistic about the challenge ahead. Silver Strikers have established themselves as one of the country’s most consistent and well-organized teams, and they will arrive at Bingu National Stadium with their own ambitions of lifting the trophy which they lifted in 2021 and it will be the first time the two teams face off in the competition since 2021 when Silver beat Wanderers in semis.

One of the keys to Wanderers’ success this season has been Mpinganjira’s willingness to rotate his squad and make tactical adjustments based on the demands of each fixture. Against Bullets, he made several changes from the team that had started the previous week, demonstrating his squad depth and tactical flexibility.

“We changed some players from the team which started last week, but all in all, what we discussed during our trainings worked,” he explained. The ability to implement match-specific game plans while maintaining performance levels across multiple competitions speaks to the quality of preparation and the players’ understanding of the coach’s philosophy.

The rotation policy has become increasingly important as Wanderers navigate a congested fixture schedule. “It’s very tough, we are playing a game every 3.5 days,” Mpinganjira revealed. “What we are doing is that we are rotating players so that fatigue should not affect our players.”

This approach to squad management will be crucial as Wanderers pursue success on two fronts: the FDH Bank Cup and the TNM Super League, where they currently lead the standings.

Maintaining League Dominance

While cup glory beckons, Mpinganjira has been careful to emphasize that league performance remains equally important. The Nomads face Ekhaya on Wednesday at Kamuzu Stadium, with an opportunity to extend their advantage at the top of the table to five points.

The midweek fixture represents another test of the squad’s depth and resilience, coming just three days after the emotional and physically demanding semifinal victory. However, Mpinganjira’s rotation policy and the team’s momentum suggest they are well-equipped to handle the challenge.

“Our main target is to win the tournament and also do well in league matches,” the coach emphasized, highlighting the dual objectives that define Wanderers’ season.

As the FDH Bank Cup final approaches, Wanderers find themselves in unfamiliar yet welcome territory. After four years of falling short in the competition, they now stand just one match away from ending that drought and delivering a trophy that would carry immense significance for the club and its supporters.

The final against Silver Strikers promises to be a fascinating tactical battle between two of the country’s best-coached teams. While Wanderers will carry the confidence of their unbeaten run and league-leading position, they know that cup finals often defy form and logic.

“It’s our hope that we beat Silver Strikers, a very good team,” Mpinganjira said. “We will make sure that we plan well so that we win this game.”

The planning and preparation that have characterized Wanderers’ season will need to reach their peak next Sunday at Bingu National Stadium. For Bob Mpinganjira, his players, and the Nomads faithful, the opportunity to write a new chapter in the club’s history awaits.