Nyerere hit K8 million Standard Bank jackpot
Mighty ‘Nyerere’ Wanderers on Saturday, November 02, 2013 made history by becoming the first team to defend the Standard Bank Knock-Out Cup after beating luck-less Silver Strikers 1-0 in a gruelling finale played before a huge crowd at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
This is a second consecutive year for Nyerere to grab the Standard Bank Knock-Out Cup, having won it last year, when they defeated the same side 2-0 in the final.
The Nomads will now be smiling all the way to the counter at Standard Bank to cash the K8 million cheque as champions for the competition’s 3013 edition.
Going onto the field of play, Nyerere had the job done just three minutes into the game, when Silver midfielder Blessings Tembo deflected the ball into his own net after Wanderers’ Mike Kaziputa had headed the ball towards the bankers’ goal.
That was all Nyerere needed to drag the whooping K8 million cheque to the Lali Lubani road-side. Alfred Manyozo Junior had a chance to make it two-up for the Nomads within the opening minutes but his close range drive was brilliantly saved by Silver’s custodian Charles Swini.
Knowing what was at stake, Silver pressurized Wanderers in search for an equalizer but good goal-keeping by Richard Chipuwa coupled with good defending by the Nomads’ defence denied the bankers the much-needed equalizer.
The bankers had a couple of more scoring chances in the second half after introducing striker Chawanangwa Kaonga for midfielder Lazarus Nyemera but Chipuwa was again equal to the task.
Both sides made a number of changes in the last half with the bankers bringing in Jester Mulima and Sebastian Mhone for Tembo and Ndaziona Chatsalira while Wanderers pushed in Diverson Chilemba and Kondwani
Kumwenda for Timothy Chitedze and Innocent Dzimbili respectively.
Commenting after the game, Wanderers’ coach Steward Mbolembole said he was happy not only to defend the title but to finish the entire tournament without conceding any goal.
“Wanderers is good at making history. We have won the trophy back to back and also finished without conceding a goal. I thank the players and the goal-keeper for their dedication and discipline but above all thanks to God, who make all these things to happen,” said Mbolembole.
His counterpart Stain Chirwa conceded defeat, saying Wanderers deserved the victory.
“It’s very painful to lose a second cup final within a year and also to be beaten twice by the same team in the same
tournament within a space of two years.
“But let me congratulate Wanderers for a good performance. They deserved the victory,” said Chirwa.
