Silver, Civo share spoils
Capital city rivals Civil Service (Civo) United and Silver Strikers on Sunday played out a one-all draw in a TNM Super League encounter at Civo Stadium.
The Central Bankers are still sixth with 27 points from 17 marches while the Civil Servants have dropped from eighth to ninth with 22 points from 18 matches.
Both goals were scored from the penalty spot.
The first 20 minutes were more of getting the feel of the action, but the hosts picked up pace, taking the game to the visitors with some splitting passes and individual brilliance.
They got the reward in the 25 minute. Chikaiko Batison dribbled past the Silver defence before he was fouled.
Referee Alfred Chilinda pointed to the deaded spot amid protests from Silver players. Defender Bashir Maunde converted the spot-kick with goalkeeper Charles Thom diving in futile effort.
Silver equalised in the 60th minute through Kaonga. He scored from the spot-kick after Kelvin Kadzinje had handled the ball in the box.
The hosts suffered a blow after John Dambuleni was red-carded in the 71st minute following a crude tackle on Kaonga.
Civo coach Franco Ndawa hailed his players for their fighting spirit.
He said: “I am pleased with the performance today. We scored early and managed to defuse their offensive play.
“They came back into the game and scored. But we suffered a set back after the red card but we still held on.”
On his part, Silver assistant coach McDonald Yobe blamed poor officiation for the draw.
“That penalty should have not been awarded. It was a fake penalty. I believe the referee had his own motives. But I must congratulate the players on their resilience,” he said.
In another match, Mafco FC beat fellow Malawi Defence Force side Red Lions 1-0 at Balaka Stadium through Bernard Chimaimba’s strike.
