Silver extend lead

Silver Strikers yesterday extended their lead at the summit of the TNM Super League table to eight points following their 2-0 victory over Civil Service United at Civo Stadium in the Lilongwe derby.

The Bankers now have 29 points from 11 matches and still stand proudly as the only team yet to taste defeat in the top flight this season.

In a match that stirred the passions on a chilly afternoon, both teams started at full throttle, but it was goalless as they went for recess.

Whatever half time pep talk Silver coach Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda  delivered remains in the classified category, but there was renewed purpose in his charges’ play in the second half.

The double substitution which the visitors made, throwing in pacy forwards Charles Chipala and Chinsisi Maonga for Atusaye Nyondo and Duncan Nyoni, respectively, worked wonders.

From then on, Silver appeared to be in cruise control and it came as no surprise when Innocent Shema, who was named man-of-the-match, headed home a Uchizi Vunga corner-kick to send Silver faithful into ecstacy.

Substitute Chipala doubled the Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit’s lead in the 66th minute with a beautiful finish after being put through by Tatenda M’balaka.

Mponda, in an interview after the match, hailed his charges for playing according to instructions.

He said: “My players executed the game-plan to perfection. It was about dominating in midfield and they did exactly that.

“Of course, in the first half we did not make good use of our dominance in possession. So, in the second half we knew they would be physically drained after losing a lot of energy in the first half and we had to capitalise on that and it worked for us.”

On his part, Civo coach Abbas Makawa said they paid for the mistakes they made which led to the two goals.

He said: “It wasn’t a difficult game, but we made some mistakes which proved costly at the end. Anyway, we accept defeat.”

Following the loss, the Civil Servants are stuck on ninth position with 14 points from 11 matches.

At Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers moved a step up to second position following their 2-1 win over Mighty Waka Waka Tigers.

Isaac ‘Tcheya’ Kaliyati, who was named man-of-the-match, drew first blood for the Nomads in the eighth minute from a free-kick awarded after Gaddie Chirwa was fouled just outside the penalty box.

But the Kau-Kau Boys levelled the scores in the 37th minute with a header from Precious Chiudza’s free kick, barely three minutes after being introduced as a substitute.

And just when it appeared like the game would end in a draw, Francisco Madinga snatched the winner for the Lali Lubani Road side following a defensive lapse.

The Nomads now have 21 points from 11 matches while Tigers are 11th with 12 points also from the same number of games.

In other games, Chitipa United and Creck Sporting Club played out a one-all draw at Karonga Stadium while PremierBet Dedza Dynamos edged Karonga United 1-0 at Karonga Stadium.