Silver Strikers Reserve has finished the 2023 Chipiku Central Region Premier Division league on third place following a 1-3 loss on Wednesday against Support Battalion FC at Nankhaka stadium in Lilongwe.
A game that started under a heavy downpour had lots of action as the guests took the lead at 9 minutes when Brown James completed a move and slotted the ball in the net. 5 minutes later, Clever Kalambo equalized for the Area 47 Reserve side through a header.
At 18 minutes, Lassuli Jali had a chance to give his side the lead from the spot following a handball in the 18 yard box by a Support Battalion defender but the penalty was saved. 3 minutes after the penalty save Lumbani Mkandawire restored the lead for the guests.
Support Battalion took the 1-2 lead to recess. In the second half Silver Reserve made several changes but failed to yield results.
At 84 minutes, Dennis Chalira saved a penalty after he brought down an opponent in the eighteen yard box. In added time, Support Battalion completed their revenge after Blessings Gwazantini curled in a well worked shot.
After the match, head coach McDonald Yobe said this was a bad ending to the season and that his boys performed well but was quick to say there are a lot of positives to be drawn.
“We have lost today and that’s part of football but we had a great game. This is the end of our season and its time to analyze the whole year and see how we do next season but there are a lot of positives that we have seen in the season”, said Yobe.
In the 22 games the team has played, the side has won 14, drew twice and lost 6.