From slump to surge: How Mzuzu derby win could fuel Hammers’ revival

A victory is always sweet, but a derby triumph? That’s a taste of pure euphoria. Mzuzu City Hammers have unequivocally asserted their dominance over the city, leaving Moyale Barracks, the custodians of national security, unable to defend their own turf.

This resounding win has not only brought a halt to the Hammers’ recent string of disheartening losses but has also injected a much-needed shot of adrenaline into their campaign. The hope is palpable: this singular victory can serve as the catalyst for a powerful resurgence.

Since their promotion to the TNM Super League in 2020, this Northern Region outfit has swiftly carved out a formidable reputation. They haven’t just survived; they’ve thrived, evolving into a veritable crucible of talent, a team that fans and pundits alike are desperate to see remain in the top flight.

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“We were just lacking that win; hopefully, this victory will boost our confidence,” remarked Assistant Coach, Luckison Nyoni, his words echoing the collective relief reverberating through the club.

The early season struggles of the Hammers were, in retrospect, eerily predictable. The decision to mutually part ways with Kondwa Ikwanga, the very coach who masterminded their impressive fourth-place finish last season, sent ripples of uncertainty through the squad. While the precise reasons for his departure remain shrouded in mystery, the void he left was undeniably significant.

Steve Nkwinika, a secondary school teacher by profession hailing from Mzimba, was initially brought in to fill Ikwanga’s considerable shoes. However, his tenure proved fleeting, as he resigned on May 18, 2025.

In the interim, with the club yet to appoint a permanent successor, Nyoni, currently pursuing his CAF B coaching certification, has admirably stepped into the breach, guiding the team alongside Lazarus Deco Nyemera, the astute technical director.

The team also faced a significant exodus of key players. The departure of stalwart defender Chikumbutso Henderson to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, where he has unfortunately seen little game time, was a notable blow. Isaac Msiska moved to Creck Sporting Club, Chancy Mtete to Mighty Wanderers, and Samuel Adeyemi to Silver Strikers.

While these major departures undoubtedly left gaps, the narrative isn’t entirely about a failure to replace them with like-for-like figures. The Hammers have, in the past, weathered similar storms, such as the transfers of Wongani Lungu and Chawanangwa Gumbo to Bullets and Blessings Singini to Mighty Wanderers, and emerged stronger.

This resilience speaks volumes about their highly regarded youth development program, a consistent wellspring of burgeoning talent.

Until their Wednesday showdown with Moyale, the Hammers’ league campaign had been a desolate landscape of unfulfilled potential.

A solitary victory away against Dedza Dynamos was a fleeting moment of joy, quickly eclipsed by a frustrating goalless draw at home against Civil in the first leg of the Airtel Top 8 Cup, a narrow 3-2 defeat to Mafco, a 1-1 draw against Songwe, a humiliating 4-0 thrashing by Civil Service in the return leg, an utterly embarrassing 6-1 capitulation to Blue Eagles, and a 2-0 defeat to Karonga United.

Before the highly anticipated Moyale clash, Nyoni’s pre-match declaration was infused with a defiant optimism: “Definitely, this is going to be our turning point. We are working hard to give our supporters the results that they want. This is our seventh game of the season; we are coming from strings of losses. We are prepared for this derby; you don’t just play a derby, you play to win, so we are geared for this game.”

His words proved prophetic. This victory isn’t merely a turning point for the current season; it’s a seismic shift in the narrative of the Mzuzu Derby itself. Moyale had previously held the upper hand, securing two derby wins while the Hammers were still seeking their first. Wednesday’s result has irrevocably rewritten the script.

The Hammers, suffering from a porous defense and a blunt attack, desperately needed a swift and decisive response to inject a much-needed sense of positivity into their play.

A shrewd tactical decision saw Joseph Fulawo earn the starting nod in goal, displacing recent regulars Innocent Kamwambi and Isaac Jamu. Fulawo repaid the faith with a commanding clean sheet, only the second for the Hammers in the league this season, a testament to his composure and the team’s renewed defensive solidity.

For a team once renowned for their pyrotechnic displays with the ball, the Hammers’ classic flair had regrettably faded in the 2025 season. However, the introduction of University student Jeremiah James Kanyika, who impressed during a pre-season friendly against Mzuzu University (Mzuni), signaled a proactive step towards reigniting their attacking line.

The first half against Moyale was nothing short of a revelation. The Hammers, showcasing a renewed vigor, established a two-goal advantage at the break against a Moyale Barracks side that had, remarkably, been undefeated this season.

James Gwayi opened the scoring in the third minute with a clinical finish, followed by Kanyika, who auspiciously opened his Super League account before the recess, much to the delight of the home faithful.

The second half saw Moyale desperately attempt to claw their way back into the contest. In the 86th minute, Moses Gwayi had a goal controversially disallowed for offside, that would have been a massacre for Moyale.

As the hosts pressed for a consolation, Fulawo, made a fantastic save to deny Lovemore Jere, preserving his clean sheet and the Hammers’ lead. After 90 minutes plus five minutes of nail-biting stoppage time, the Hammers valiantly held on for a crucial, morale-boosting win.

“It was a tough match as Moyale came to find an early goal, but we scored on the third minute, then we got another one which boosted the morale of the boys. We are coming from a string of losses, so I told the boys to win the Derby,” Luckson Mauluka Nyoni, the assistant head coach, articulated the profound sense of relief and satisfaction within the team.

Now, the onus is on the Hammers to harness the raw energy of this derby victory and transform it into a consistent wellspring of motivation for their upcoming fixtures. This triumphant performance has catapulted them to 13th in the league, with 7 points from 7 hard-fought games.

Looking ahead, the club is expected to unveil a new head coach this week. This move comes as the grace period granted by the Football Association of Malawi, allowing Nyoni to lead the team despite holding a CAF C license instead of the required CAF B, has expired.

The Hammers are reportedly in advanced negotiations to appoint Andrew Bunya, the former head coach of Dedza Dynamos, as their main leader for the remainder of the season, though the deal is not yet finalized.