Silver strikers savour top spot

 Silver Strikers have gone a point clear at the top of the TNM Super League log table after thumping Salima-based Mafco 5-1 at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.

The Bankers had to come from behind to claim the victory through red-hot striker Adiel Kaduwa’s brace, Binwell Katinji, Tatenda M’balaka and Patrick Macheso who made Mafco’s Marshal Maluwa’s early goal not to count.

Silver now have 10 points from four matches while second-placed Mzuzu City Hammers, who defeated Creck Sporting 2-1, have nine points.

Third-placed FCB Nyasa Bullets, who also won 2-1 against Baka FC at Kamuzu Stadium, have eight points.

Mafco took a lead in the 13th minute when Maluwa beat George Chikooka after he was played in by Stain Malata.

The Bankers levelled in the 34th minute from the spot through striker Binwell Katinji after Mafco goalkeeper Blessings Kameza fouled the striker in the box.

Then the Central Bankers upped the tempo and deservedly took the lead in the 49th minute through Adiel Kaduya’s sole effort.

Kaduya made it three for Silver and a brace for himself with another predatory strike in the 55th minute.

Then M’balaka announced his return after a long absence due to an injury with the fourth goal in the 67th minute burying a rebound after Kameza parried Kaduya’s shot.

The one way traffic continued as Mafco crumbled whensubstitute Macheso wrapped up the day with the fifth in added on time as the Bankers registered the biggest win in the 2024 season.

In a post-match interview, Silver coach Peter Mponda said he was satisfied with the massive win.

He said: “I am happy with the way we reacted after conceeding. The 5-1 victory is a very good score line.”

At Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Bullets also came from behind to beat Baka FC 2-1.

The Karonga-based outfit took a surprise lead in the 13th minute when Geoffrey Mwakyembe took advantage of sloppy defending from Bullets to fire past Richard Chimbamba.

But it took Bullets just eight minutes to level through Ephraim Kondowe, who tapped in from a rebound, after Baka goalkeeper Omary Hamiss saved Lanjesi Nkhoma’s initial shot.

The goal was Kondowe’s third of the season after he also netted in one-draw against Dedza Dynamos and 3-0 victory over Chitipa United.

Bullets went on to take the lead in the 45th minute through Chawanangwa Gumbo, who got on to the end of Gomezgani Chirwa’s precise cross as the first half ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts.

In a post-match interview Baka FC coach Davie Myombe said they let in silly goals.

“To me, it is a painful game. Anyway, it happens in football,” he said.

Meanwhile, Creck Sporting FC suffered a second consecutive loss after succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to Mzuzu City Hammers at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.

Eric Kaonga and Isaac Msiska netted for Hammers before George Chaomba pulled one back as Hammers moved second with nine points from four matches.

Hammers coach Elias Chirambo said he was glad to collect full points away