Leaders Silver Strikers yesterday enhanced their chances of winning the 2024 TNM Super League title with a 6-1 thumping of Mafco FC at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
But second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers continued to keep the Bankers’ in check with a laboured 1-0 win over Bangwe All-Stars at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The Lilongwe-based Reserve Bank of Malawi-sponsored outfit now has 57 points from 25 matches, four adrift of the Nomads, who have played a game more.
At Civo Stadium, Silver were in front barely seven minutes into the game through defender Innocent Shema’s header from Uchizi Vunga’s well curled corner-kick.
The Area 47-based side extended their lead in the 41st minute through Gift Chunga, who provided the final touch after captain Chikondi Kamanga had done the spade work.
Silver, who last won the league title in 2013, were three-up in the 50th minute when Chunga claimed his brace after being set up by Vunga.
Silver extended their lead in the 62nd minute through Steve Mkweza’s own goal.
Mafco claimed their consolation goal five minutes later through substitute Yohane Malunga.
But the Bankers weren’t done yet as Mischeck Selemani hammered the fifth goal in the 79th minute.
Then Idana closed the score sheet with a beautiful shot from outside the box into the top left corner.
In an interview, Silver coach Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda said they won’t relax until they seal the title.
“We are closing in, but we aren’t there yet. We’lll keep fighting until it is in the bag,” he said.
At Kamuzu Stadium, the match was delayed for 30 minutes due to a heavy downpour.
Striker Misheck Botomani, who was named man-of-the-match, scored the lone goal for Wanderers in the 33rd minute through a header from a corner that was flicked into his path by Clement Nyondo.
Wanderers interim coach Bob Mpinganjira, whose side missed several scoring chances, said they will keep fighting to the very end.
“It was good that we were able to create chances though we failed to ultilise them, but that’s football, it happens. The good thing is that we have won.”
On his part, Bangwe coach Trevor Kajawa applauded his charges for a battle well fought.
He said: “We gave them a tough time, it was not easy for them to win.”
In other matches, Mulanje-based Fomo FC pipped fellow rookies Creck Sporting Club 1-0 via Hassam Hussen’s strike while PremierBet Dedza Dynamos and table-anchors Baka City played out a one-all draw.
