Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles shared spoils again at Silver Stadium on Saturday after playing a one-all draw, replicating the TNM Super League first round result.
The two sides also played a one-all draw in the first round at Nankhaka Stadium. With the draw, Silver Strikers has finished third with 64 points from 30 games played.
Chinsisi Maonga found the back of the net for the Central Bankers at 28 minutes when a clearance by the Blue Eagles’ defense fell on his feet. Maonga took his time and curled in a beautiful shot. The goal came after the Area 47 side stage had suffered several attacks, but Blue Eagles stood still.
The lead did not stand long, as the visitors levelled matters seven minutes later. Tonic Viyuyu slotted home an easy goal after picking up a slip-up clearance by George Chikooka.
At halftime, the scores were one each. Neither side made any changes going into the second half.
The second half started slowly for Silver Strikers; however, the first chance of the half came 10 minutes after restart when
Binwell Katinji started a move from the centre and picked up Festus Duwe, who outplayed his opponent and fired a shot which went over the bar.
At 64 minutes, Katinji was taken out, and in came Stanie Davie. At 77 minutes, Zebron Kalima paved the way for Charles Chipala.
Five minutes from time, Uchizi Vunga recollected play on the right as he dribbled past two opponents and crossed the ball in to find Davie, whose effort went over the bar.
Despite several attempts to find the winner, the game ended in a stalemate.
After the match, First Assistant Coach Mapopa Kent Msukwa said it was a tough encounter as Blue Eagles came hard and played a good game.
“It was a good game. We created good chances, but we did not convert them. All in all, we have finished third, and we take that home. It’s true we have failed to defend the title and all is good; we did well, but things turned out differently. We will regroup and come a better side next season,” Msukwa said.
At the finish of the 2025 TNM Super League, the Central Bankers will regroup and switch focus to the 2025 Castel Challenge Cup.
Silver Strikers will face Namitete Zitha FC on 11 January 2026 at Aubrey Dimba Stadium in Mchinji.