Four goals were what Silver Strikers needed on Thursday to grab maximum points over Songwe Border United at Karonga Stadium in Karonga.
Festus Duwe’s brace along with goals from Chimwemwe Idana and Emmanuel Allan was enough to move the Central Bankers to sixth place.
Festus Duwe did not need a lot of time to put his name on the scoresheet, as he slotted home a throw-in by McDonald Lameck in the second minute to put Silver Strikers in front. After the goal, the hosts made a quick change in goals just after eight minutes of play.
It took 29 minutes for the hosts to show an intention to equalize when they won a free kick in a dangerous area after a foul by Precious Sambani, but the free kick did not meet the expected connection, and it went over the bar.
After five minutes, Duwe came knocking again as he received a ball from Idana, which he slotted home. Idana had reclaimed possession and dribbled past two defenders when he received a good ball from Stanie Davie.
At recess, we led by two goals to nil.
Early in the second half, Idana slotted home the third goal for Silver Strikers after Festus Duwe and Biwnwell Katinji combined well and spotted Sambani’s run, which he made a diagonal pass for Idana to finish off.
Silver Strikers kept on creating chances through Katinji and others, but couldn’t get the fourth. At 67 minutes, the hosts pulled one back through Wongani Kamanga when he converted a penalty that came after a handball was spotted in the box.
At 71 minutes, Coach Peter Mgangira made three changes, bringing in Uchizi Vunga, Emmanuel Allan, and Innocent Shema for McDonald Lameck, Stanie Davie, and Festus Duwe. Ten minutes later, Binwell Katinji was taken out for Levison Maganizo.
Five minutes away from time, substitute Emmanuel Allan scored his debut goal when Nickson Mwase started a move from defense and let off Idana in midfield, who made a quick pass to Maganizo on the right. Maganizo did not spend much time on the ball, but quickly crossed it in for Allan to finish.
Lassuli Jali was introduced in added time as Sambani was rested.
After regulation time, Mgangira said the result was what the Central Bankers needed to maintain the players’ confidence.
“We are happy for the win, but I think we could have done better. We played well and created a lot of scoring opportunities, but we did not convert them. This win is a morale booster, I think this is what we need, and we are going to keep on building on this. Three points going back home, that’s good for us,” said Mgangira.
Next, Silver Strikers will face Moyale Barracks in the return leg of the 2025 Airtel Top 8 Quarterfinal match at Mzuzu Stadium.
