Silver Strikers’ good run in the CAF Champions League continued yesterday at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe after registering a crucial 1-0 victory over Tanzanian heavyweights Young Africans Sporting Club (Yanga) in the second preliminary round first leg.
Again, the impact of Andrew Joseph was evident as his goal in the 75th minute made the difference.
The forward has been scoring crucial goals for Silver and netted away in Mauritius against Elgico Plus FC Madagascar to propel the Central Bankers to the second round of this continental tournament.
Yesterday, Ernest Petro played a fine pass in his path for the striker to coolly shoot past Yanga goalkeeper Djigu Diarra.
Silver went into the game as underdogs with little experience in the tournament unlike Yanga who compete annually.
Both teams had opportunities, but Yanga will feel short changed that Andy Boyeli goal in the 38th minute was disallowed for offside.
Before the offside call, Boyeli had the closest opportunity in the 34th minute, but he shot wide from a good position.
Stain Davie and Zebron Kalima also had opportunities for Silver early in the game, but were not clinical enough.
In the second-half, both teams continued to craft chances but were wasteful.
Uchizi Vunga messed up an opportunity in the 70th minute.
With only the goalkeeper to beat he miscued the ball.
But it was until the 75th minute when Joseph rose to the occasion to make the difference.
Silver will now go to Tanzania bext weekend with an advantage and a draw will see them progress.
