Silver revenge
Silver Strikers on Saturday avenged their first round TNM Super League defeat at the hands of their capital city rivals Civo United with a 2-1 win at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
Following the win, the Bankers have not only gone up the ladder from third to second position but have also reduced Big Bullets’ lead to five points.
Silver now have 35 points from 20 games, two more games than Bullets who host Moyale at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre this afternoon.
However, the Bankers could drop back to third position should Mafco—who have 34 points from 20 games—beat Dedza Young Soccer this afternoon at Dedza Stadium.
Silver Strikers played a pressing game right from the start and scored two goals within 30 minutes.
Victor Limbani drew first blood for the Bankers. He unleashed a powerful shot that screamed past a stationary Civo goalkeeper Duncan Mkandawire into the roof of the net after being put through by Ndaziona Chatsalira.
Green Harawa doubled the score in the 29th minute. He evaded John Lanjesi to head in from a Chatsalira corner kick.
The hosts were a reorganised side after tactical injection from coach Oscar Kaunda.
Instead of retreating, the Civil Servants went on rampage but Silver defence led by Lucky Malata contained the attacks for most durations.
With Kaunda barking instructions from the touch line, the home team pulled one back six minutes to full time through Nelson Kangunje who pounced on a fumbled ball by Silver’s ‘keeper Blessings Banda from a freekick taken by Emmanuel Zoya.
“It is great to win against Civo, for us it is a sweet revenge. We put up a good performance and deserved to win, “ said Silver assistant coach Lovemore Fazili after the match.
Kaunda was a disgruntled man after the game and refused to talk to the press as he headed to the dressing room.
At Kamuzu Stadium, Be Forward Wanderers and Azam Tigers maintained their winless streak in the second round following a 1-1 draw.
Tigers surged ahead in the sixth minute through a penalty awarded after their talisman Yamikani Chester was fouled in the goal area by Bongani Kaipa and Peter Kasonga made no mistake from the spotkick.
Wanderers equalised in the 37th minute through Alfred Manyozo Jnr who swung upfield to plant home a well-curled corner kick by Isaac Kaliati and relief was the prevalent emotion in the blue side of town.
The Nomads have moved up to eighth position from ninth. They have 27 points from 18 games while Tigers have also moved up to fourth with 32 points from 21 games.
At Balaka Stadium, Moyale held Red Lions to a two-all draw. n
