Silver Strikers has on Sunday lifted the FCB at 30 Trophy after beating FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 2-0 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
The match was organised by First Capital Bank as one way of celebrating their 30 years operations in Malawi.
Silver Strikers made a wholesome change to its starting line up as six Reserve players were included in its squad whereby two were featured in the match.
The Central Bankers showed their intent early into the match as the side kept piling pressure and keeping good possession of the ball.
It was not by surprise that Binwell Katinji tapped in the first goal of the match at nine minutes after playing a one-two with Stanie Davie who was in fine form.
The Area 47 outfit kept piling pressure until 32 minutes when they doubled the lead after captain of the day Innocent Shema was brought down in the 18 yard box. A penalty was given and Shema converted it by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Silver Strikers went to recess two goals up.
In the second half, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets came a changed side as a minute into the half they forced Pilirani Mapira to make a fantastic save to keep the Area 47 side in the game.
Going forward, Silver Strikers continued to be the better side on the day as they maintained good possession and frequently reached the final third of the opponents’ half.
At 55 minutes, Kalima came knocking when he made a solo run from the centre dribbling past two opponents then took two shots which were all blocked then later opted for Katinji who slotted the ball in the net but was ruled out for offside.
Just nine minutes after the hour mark, Katinji’s effort hit the side netting after his shot was blocked for a corner. Zebron Kalima and Davie played a beautiful one-two passe to release Katinji who made a good run on the right.
Davie came close to registering his name on the scoresheet when he connected a corner kick by Kalima at 71 minutes only to be denied by the post, Bullets defenders scrambled for the ball and cleared it from danger.
Eight minutes later, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets goalkeeper Clever Kungula was given matching orders after bringing down Davie outside the 18 yard box. Bullets finished the match with 10 men.
Silver Strikers made its first change ten minutes from time when Binwell Katinji was rested for Emmanuel Nyakupete.
The match then ended 2-0 in favour of Silver Strikers.
After the match, First Assistant Coach Mapopa Kent Msukwa praised his charges for a well executed game plan.
“We should give a big thank you to the players for a good win this afternoon and for their good understanding of the game plane. The boys executed our game plan well and got a result. We included many players that are from the Reserve side to hive them a feel of what it is like to play at a stage like this and it paid off. As a team we will make efforts to continue polishing them and keep them”, Msukwa said.
Attention will now turn to midweek action as the Central Bankers travel to Mchinji to face CRECK Sporting Club at Aubrey Dimba Stadium in the ninth match of the 2025 TNM Super League.
Great and congratulations bankers!