A resilient and controlled performance yesterday saw Silver Strikers beat holders Blue Eagles 3-0 away at Nankhaka Ground in Area 30, Lilongwe to progress into the semi-finals of the FDH Bank Cup.
Goals from Nickson Mwase, Ernest Petro and Emmanuel Allan gave the Bankers a comfortable win as they head into the semis
The all-Lilongwe affair was full of tempers and crude tackles with referee David Chinoko visibly struggling to control the game.
The hosts started strongly, forcing Silver to concede a corner just after two minutes but Sankhani Mkandawire headed over
But gradually, the visitors from Area 47 settled down and started to press the hosts.
The visitors’ pressing paid off in the 39th minute when Nickson Mwase’s glancing header escaped the attention of goalkeeper Elias Missi to shake the net.
Blue Eagles tried to take the game to Silver early in the second-half, forcing a couple of set pieces.
Soon after, Silver made a quick counter and added a second goal through Ernest Petro, who lobbed the ball over Missi after the goalkeeper had left his lines.
The goal, which came in the 57th minute, shook the hosts confidence as they looked shaky.
As the game progressed and sensing lethargy coach Deklerk Msalakuwona substituted Tonic Viyuyi and John Banda and introduced Andre Mapemba and Webster Mzunda.
To counter the new threat, Silver too injected fresh legs as Stain Davie, Chinsisi Maonga and Chikondi Kamanga came in for Kalima, Katinji and Uchizi Vunga.
Just as Eagles were hoping at least reduce the deficit, Allan netted the third goal in added on time.
In a post-match interview, Msakakuwona described the loss as painful.
Silver coach Peter Mgangira said despite the win, it was a tough game.
“I must commend the boys for putting up a good fight.
“We managed to utilise from the chances that we created and that has made the difference,” he said.
In other last eight ties, Civil Service United will play Mchinji Villa on October 15; FCB Nyasa Bullets will face Kamuzu Barracks on October 18 while Creck Sporting Club will take on Mighty Wanderers on October 19.
