Karonga United and Silver Strikers settled for a point each after playing out a one-all draw at Karonga Stadium on Sunday.
Head Coach Peter Mgangira made one change on Sunday, bringing in Levison Maganizo for Chinsisi Maonga.
The first half was short of chances. Silver Strikers first chance came in the 33rd minute when Emmanuel Allan made a good turn after a good control of the ball and released Uchizi Vunga. Vunga ran toward the goal and took a shot, but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper.
The two sides went to the break without registering a goal. At the break, both teams didn’t make changes.
The second half started on a high note as Silver Strikers found a chance through Zebron Kalima in the first minute but his effort missed the target by an inch.
At 62 minutes we made a double change bringing in Stanie Davie and Binwell Katinji for Levison Maganizo and Emmanuel Allan.
Five minutes after the change, Karonga United took the lead through Alfred Chizinga when a rebound ball came to his feet. He made a good effort to play the ball near the post to beat George Chikooka.
Immediately after conceding the goal, Innocent Shema was substituted for Charles Chipala.
At 79 minutes, Davie headed home a corner played by Zebron Kalima to level matters.
Three minutes from time, Felix Dumakude was introduced for Uchizi Vunga.
The match failed to produce a winner after regulation time. Captain Chikondi Kamanga was voted Man of the Match.
First Assistant Coach Mapopa Kent Msukwa described the match as tough but was quick to say that his boys reacted quickly to salvage a point.
“A very important point from Karonga Stadium this afternoon in a very tough match and atmosphere. It was not a good game for us as expected. Our side gave a lot of respect to the home team, they gave us a good run but our boys stood up to return into the match and level matters,” said Msukwa.
With the point, Silver Strikers remain third with 57 points from 27 games played.
Next, Silver Strikers will be on the road again on Saturday to entertain MAFCO FC at Champions Stadium in Mponela.