Silver lose four finals in 3 years

Silver Strikers have attributed their failure to break the last hurdle jinx in cup final matches to bad luck.

The Bankers, who once rose to become cup specialists on the domestic scene, have lost four cup final matches in the last three years, the latest being Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Mighty Wanderers in the Standard Bank Knockout Trophy. Last year, they also lost to Nomads 2-0 in the finals of the same competition

Earlier this year, Silver also lost to Mafco in Presidential Cup finals through post-match penalties. Two years ago, they lost to their capital city rivals Civo United 1-0, also in the Presidential Cup.

However, the club’s legend Young Chimodzi, chairperson McDonald Mafuta-Mwale, key midfielder-cum-striker Frank Banda and coach Stain Chirwa all blamed it on tough luck.

“My assessment is that they have been dominant in all the final matches that they have played in recent times, but sometimes it goes with luck and the game against Wanderers is a good example because they created a good number of chances compared to their opponents.

“The other factor could probably be psychological in that it has infiltrated into their heads that they always lose final games; as such, that affects their focus and in turn piles up pressure. That is why they concentrate on Super League,” said Chimodzi who led Silver to some silverware as coach.

Mafuta-Mwale said the last-hurdle failure cannot be attributed to tactics or pressure.

“I think we have been the better team in all the four games, but luck has not been on our side. For instance, in the game against Wanderers, the better side lost. Specifically against Wanderers, we create good chances, but then they score a goal out of nothing like was the case on Saturday.

“Maybe it is God’s will that we should not win cup final games. Maybe God will smile at us in future, I told my players that they worked hard and they cannot be blamed,” he said.

General secretary Mike Tembo also said despite their move to change coaches frequently, the team has made some progress.

“I think, in all fairness, the current coaching panel is doing better than the previous one. That can be proved by results we have registered in both league and cup games. Coaches are judged by results and tactical abilities and we believe the changes were necessary,” said Tembo.

Banda said: “We had several attempts at goal compared to Wanderers who got their goal out of the blues. In all fairness, I think it’s something to do with luck because we tried everything, but I am optimistic that with time, we will get it right.”

In a post-match interview, coach Chirwa also said his team was unlucky not to score.

“We played very well, but somehow we just could not score from the chances we created. There are times when you try your best, but in the end, things do not work your way and the game against Wanderers was one of them. Being beaten twice by the same team in the final of the same competition was a bitter pill to swallow,” he said.

The team’s ardent follower Paul Zoyipa said virtually the same thing: “If you analyse the games against Mafco and Wanderers [the recent one], we were the better side.

“We had good preparations, the performance was very good, but we just couldn’t find the back of the net, maybe it was about composure all that our friends [Wanderers] were better prepared in terms of approach.”