Malawi: Nine-man Ekwendeni hammer Wanderers again

Relegated Ekwendeni Hammers FC dumped Mighty Wanderers out of the Castel Challenge Cup with a 5-3 post-match victory at Rumphi Stadium on Sunday. The minnows completed a double over the TNM Super League champions.

Hammers forced the quarterfinal game into the post-match penalties after Hassan Luwembe equalized four minutes into added time. He canceled out the Nomads’ Isaac Kaliyati’s goal from the penalty spot in the Northern Region.

 

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The hosts’ player had fouled Cameroonian striker Sama to concede the penalty in the 49th minute.

All seemed to be going bad for Hammers as their star Matthews Banda received marching orders in the 70th minute followed by skipper Jimmy Msiska three minutes later in a similar manner.

However, Hammers forced matters into the penalties to stun Wanderers.

Hammers will now date FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who beat Mighty Tigers 2-0 in another quarterfinal played on Saturday, in the semifinal.

Ekwendeni Hammers giant-killing acts continue

The Mzuzu-based side finished the 2025 Super League season in the last-three slots to confirm their exit from the top-flight league. However, before they exited the Super League, Hammers ensured that they dented Wanderers’ record.

The minnows handed the Nomads a 2-1 defeat on December 3 2025, and on Sunday, the Mzuzu side repeated its heroics.

This was not an isolated giant-killing act. Hammers also dumped fancied Silver Strikers out of the Castel Challenge Cup the previous weekend.