Mighty Wanderers have endured a frustrating relationship with the FDH Bank Cup since its inception in 2021, never once lifting the trophy despite four attempts. The Nomads have not even reached the final of the tournament, making their quest for silverware all the more urgent.

2021 Campaign: Wanderers’ inaugural journey was brutally ended by Silver Strikers, who demolished them 3-0 in the semifinals before the Bankers claimed the title by defeating Ekwendeni Hammers (now Mzuzu City Hammers).

2022 Run: The Nomads showed promise, beginning with a hard-fought victory over Kamuzu Barracks Youth in a dramatic penalty shootout at Kamuzu Stadium after a 2-2 draw in the Round of 32. They secured a comfortable 3-0 away victory against Dedza Dynamos in the Round of 16 before dismantling Kamuzu Barracks 4-1 in the quarterfinals. However, their impressive run was shamefully ended by city rivals FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who humiliated them 4-0 at Bingu National Stadium. The People’s Team went on to win the tournament by defeating their own Reserve side.

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2023 Campaign: Wanderers kicked off with a 2-0 victory over Mponda United, followed by a convincing 4-1 triumph against Zingwangwa United in the Round of 16. They hammered Santhe Admarc 5-0 in the quarterfinals, displaying their attacking prowess. However, their impressive run was again cut short, this time by Mafco FC who edged them 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium. The Soldiers later suffered a 3-0 defeat to Bullets in the final.

2024 Nightmare: Last year’s campaign proved to be Wanderers’ worst showing, as they were eliminated before reaching the quarterfinals. Despite beating Cobbe Barracks 3-0, they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Bullets at Kamuzu Stadium, with Babatunde Adepoju netting both goals for their rivals while Sama Tanjong scored their consolation.

The upcoming clash against Mafco FC carries significant historical weight. The two teams have developed a competitive rivalry, with their most recent significant encounter being Mafco’s 1-0 victory in the 2023 FDH Bank Cup quarterfinals at the same venue. However, Wanderers gained revenge earlier this season with a league victory over the Soldiers, demonstrating their ability to bounce back from previous disappointments.

Mighty Wanderers’ Recent Form: The Nomads are enjoying a dream performance in the TNM Super League, topping the table at the break after playing 15 games while remaining unbeaten. Their perfect league record has established them as the team to beat this season, building confidence ahead of their cup campaign.

However, their Airtel Top 8 Cup journey ended in disappointment when Karonga United turned the tables in the quarterfinal second leg, winning 2-0 after losing 1-0 in the first leg, eliminating Wanderers on aggregate.

Mafco FC’s Situation: While specific recent results weren’t available, Mafco have historically proven to be cup specialists, capable of rising to the occasion in knockout competitions despite their league form.

Mpinganjira’s determination

Head coach Bob Mpinganjira acknowledges the significance of finally claiming the FDH Bank Cup, a tournament sponsored by the bank owned by club president Dr. Thomson Mpinganjira.

“[FDH Bank Cup] is one of the trophies that, as a club, we really want to win as a team because since it was introduced, we have never won it. So, it’s high time that we work hard and at least get it,” Mpinganjira stated.

The coach emphasized the different nature of cup competition: “We are enjoying our league campaign, but this is a different game—a cup game. We are doing well in the league, 15 games without defeat. So, we will focus now on the cup, forget about the league, and see how we can perform. We really need it because it’s a very important game.”

Despite their league victory over Mafco earlier this season, Mpinganjira warned against complacency: “Yes, it’s true we beat them in the first round of the league, but that can’t make us relax. Cup games are usually difficult ones, and we just need to engage an extra gear. It will not be easy—we are ready for it and really need to win this game.”

The coach revealed tactical preparations: “We have a good plan for them. They are a good team, and we will try to use our plan to get the win. We have been talking to the players throughout the week, and we will try to push them until we get a positive result.”

Wanderers prepare for another attempt at FDH Bank Cup glory, the weight of history and expectation rests heavily on their shoulders. With an unbeaten league campaign providing momentum and the painful memories of previous eliminations serving as motivation, the Nomads will be desperate to finally break their cup curse and add the elusive trophy to their cabinet.