Khungwa saves three penalties to bless Wanderers with FDH Bank semifinal slot

If you are worried about Mighty Wanderers’ profligacy in front of goal, take solace in their formidable defensive resilience and exceptional goalkeeping. The Nomads have now kept 17 clean sheets across all competitions and conceded just 12 goals this campaign—a testament to their defensive prowess.

Creck Sporting Club and coach Eliya Kananji’s FDH Bank Cup journey came to a heartbreaking end. After matching Wanderers stride-for-stride for 90 minutes, they were ultimately undone in the penalty shootout—a cruel conclusion to a valiant performance.

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Mighty Wanderers and Creck Sporting settled for a goalless stalemate in a fiercely contested encounter at Aubrey Dimba Stadium on Saturday. Remarkably, this marks the second consecutive meeting between these sides that has ended scoreless, following their league deadlock in the second round.

As the match entered its dying moments, Creck made a tactical substitution, replacing goalkeeper Brighton Munthali with penalty specialist Emmance Nyidenda—a move designed specifically for the impending shootout. However, the gamble yielded mixed results.

While Nyidenda did save Emmanuel Nyirenda’s spot-kick, he saw his own penalty parried away by Dalitso Khungwa, who produced a masterclass between the posts by saving three penalties. The Nomads advanced to the 2025 FDH Bank Cup semifinals with a 4-2 victory in the shootout.

Wanderers need more from their strikers

Mighty Wanderers have invested significantly in addressing their goal-scoring woes, yet profligacy continues to plague them despite their otherwise impressive form. They have suffered just three defeats in 26 matches across all competitions this season—a remarkable record undermined by their inability to convert chances.

On Sunday , they fielded an attacking formation featuring two strikers: Blessings Mwalirino and Sama Thierry Tanjong, who made his first start since March following injury. Adam Wallace operated as right wing-back, with Wisdom Mpinganjira on the left. Blessings Singini and Felix Zulu formed the double pivot, while Isaac Kalista assumed the attacking midfield role. The three-man defense comprised Emmanuel Nyidenda, Stanley Sanudi, and Timothy Silwimba.

With such attacking intent, goals seemed inevitable. Ironically, however, Wanderers failed to register a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes.

With two target men up front, Bob Mpinganjira’s side predictably resorted to wing play, delivering crosses for aerial battles. Yet they proved woefully inadequate against Munthali and his well-organized backline.

Despite creating six goal attempts in the first half—three falling to Sama—the quality of finishing failed to match the caliber of chances created. Wanderers’ last two goals in four matches have come from midfielders. Indeed, they have now gone four games without a striker finding the net. Felix Zulu scored in a CAF Confederation Cup clash against Jwaneng Galaxy, while Isaac Kalista netted in a league fixture against Dedza Dynamos. The last striker to score was Blessings Mwalirino against Mafco back in August.

Blessings Singini tried his luck from distance, but Creck blocked the effort into Adam Wallace’s path—only for the winger to stray offside. Wanderers needed more from their wide players, but Wallace struggled to deliver quality crosses from the right flank and didn’t complete the first half, making way for defensive midfielder Dan Kudonto.

Wanderers squandered a golden opportunity from Wisdom Mpinganjira’s corner when Sama connected with thin air instead of the ball—a comical miss that let Creck off the hook. The Cameroonian striker fluffed another presentable chance when played through by Singini. With the goal at his mercy, Sama’s ponderous movement allowed a defender to make a crucial clearance before he could pull the trigger.

Singini created yet another opportunity from the flank, but Sama’s acrobatic attempt sailed harmlessly over the crossbar, leaving Munthali untroubled.

Wisdom Mpinganjira, deployed deep as a wing-back, produced more threatening efforts than Mwalirino, Sama, and substitute Promise Kamwendo combined. Receiving possession on the right after switching positions with Wallace, he cut inside onto his weaker foot before unleashing a powerful drive that whistled inches over the crossbar—the closest Wanderers came to breaking the deadlock.

Mpinganjira later whipped a dangerous corner toward the towering Sama, whose header sailed over the bar.

Wanderers’ reliance on wing play and aerial bombardment proved ineffective against Creck’s disciplined defensive structure. Munthali, commanding his area with authority, consistently claimed crosses, while the defense afforded Wanderers minimal space to shoot.

In the 39th minute, Munthali produced an acrobatic save to claw away Wallace’s cross, which was destined for Kalista at the far post.

Wanderers introduced Kudonto for Wallace two minutes before halftime, with Kalista shifting to wing-back. However, the hosts held firm until the interval.

The Nomads began the second half with renewed urgency, searching for the breakthrough. Kudonto created an opening for Mpinganjira, who inexplicably blazed wide with the goal gaping.

Seven minutes into the restart, Wanderers sought fresh impetus by replacing Sama with Promise Kamwendo, who last found the net in July during a 1-1 draw with Moyale Barracks. The substitute has managed just four goals this season.

Eager to make an immediate impact, Kamwendo attempted what Sama had failed to achieve in 52 minutes. Driving forward from near the halfway line, he unleashed a thunderous effort that flashed wide of the post.

Mpinganjira was denied by the woodwork in the 75th minute. Receiving the ball on the right, he drove infield before unleashing a venomous strike from distance that cannoned off the post with Munthali well beaten—yet still the deadlock remained intact.

Creck played with heart but undone on penalties

Heading into this encounter, Creck were unbeaten in their previous seven matches and hoped to extend that streak by toppling one of Malawi’s football giants. They acquitted themselves admirably, but penalties are a lottery—and fortune favored Wanderers.

What distinguished Creck was their warrior spirit and defensive discipline. They defended in numbers, closing down space and limiting Wanderers to speculative efforts.

Hardy Ng’andu led by example, anchoring the defense with authority. His dominance in aerial duels and ground battles restricted Wanderers to zero shots on target over the entire 90 minutes. Partnering with the towering Talandira Chigaula, the defensive duo formed an impenetrable barrier.

George Chaomba posed the greatest threat going forward, though he lacked adequate support. Hassan Hussien found himself repeatedly outmuscled by the rejuvenated Emmanuel Nyirenda.

Creck started aggressively, seeking an early breakthrough. Hussien attacked down the left but lacked the physicality to beat Nyirenda. Chigaula overpowered Wallace on the right, though Singini’s release came too late for a meaningful shot.

Nigerian midfielder Ademola agonizingly headed inches wide after being found by Dalitso Nahipa’s left-wing cross—a gilt-edged chance spurned.

George Chaomba received possession just outside the penalty area, weaving past Wisdom Mpinganjira before unleashing a fierce effort with his weaker right foot. Dalitso Khungwa produced a magnificent save to preserve parity.

Creck squandered another presentable opportunity in the 40th minute when Hassan Hussien’s cross found a teammate, whose header flew wide.

Despite ceding territorial advantage in the second half, Creck registered their second shot on target when Hassan Hussien teed up Harvey Nasiyaya, whose tame effort was comfortably gathered by Khungwa.

When Promise Kamwendo entered the fray, a fascinating battle ensued with Ng’andu. Kamwendo’s one serious attempt flashed wide, and the defender ensured he had no further opportunities to trouble the defense.

Creck nearly snatched victory when Chigaula powered a header over the bar. Hassan Hussien was replaced by Kondwani Chilembwe before Patrick Macheso came on for Harvey Nasiyaya. They successfully frustrated Wanderers until the final whistle.

Khungwa saves Wanderers from embarrassment

Dalitso Khungwa’s journey at Wanderers began with adversity, but he has emerged as a hero when his team needed him most.

After keeping Wanderers in contention for 90 minutes, he delivered when it mattered most in the shootout, saving three of the five penalties he faced.

Khungwa palmed away Creck’s opening penalty from Jauma Edward before denying both Rahaman Ntafu and Emmance Nyidenda from 12 yards.

Masiya Manda, Blessings Singini, and Promise Kamwendo converted their penalties for Wanderers, while Emmanuel Nyirenda’s effort was saved by Nyidenda.

What does it mean?

Mighty Wanderers have reached their fourth FDH Bank Cup semifinal since the tournament’s inception in 2021. They reached this stage in 2021 but fell to Silver Strikers, then lost to FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in 2022.

In 2023, the Nomads were eliminated by Mafco FC when Paul Ndlovi scored the only goal at Kamuzu Stadium. Last season, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Big Bullets in the round of 16.

Following this victory, Wanderers will seek their first-ever final appearance in the competition, but they must overcome a team they haven’t beaten in a cup competition since 2022, when they prevailed on penalties in this very tournament.

To reach the semifinals, Wanderers dispatched Mafco FC and Mzuzu City Hammers before edging past Creck.

For Creck, despite the disappointment, they can draw encouragement from their spirited performance. Coach Kananji, who lifted this trophy last season with Blue Eagles, will not defend the crown.

Last season, Creck were eliminated by Baja City. This campaign has shown marked improvement, with victories over Dedza Dynamos and Moyale Barracks before falling to the perennial contenders, Wanderers.

What’s next?

Mighty Wanderers face Blue Eagles on Wednesday in a league fixture at Nankhaka, while Creck take on Silver Strikers on Tuesday at Silver Stadium.