Silver Strikers scored five goals past Namitete Zitha FC on Thursday to book a place in the round of 16 of the 2025-26 Castel Challenge Cup at Aubrey Stadium in Mchinji.
Braces by Chinsisi Maonga and Charles Chipala, along with a second-half goal from Festus Duwe, secured the Central Bankers a win over the Namitete-based side.
Six minutes into the game, Chipala slotted home the first goal of the match after getting a pass from McDonald Lameck.
Ten minutes later, a chance fell on our side as we exchanged passes well in midfield as Zebron Kalima and Chikondi Kamanga played some quick one-two passes and released McDonald Lameck who crossed the ball to Festus Duwe but failed to bring the ball down to score.
At 28 minutes, Maonga doubled the lead when Kalima from the centre line went infield and provided a defense-splitting pass that was welcomed by Chipala’s run, he did not waste time but to cross the ball in to find Maonga who scored with a simple tap-in.
Maonga completed a brace when he converted a penalty after being brought down in the eighteen-yard box to bring the tally to three.
Six minutes from halftime, Chipala completed his own brace when he finished off a corner that the hosts failed to clear.
We were four up by halftime.
A minute into the second half, Nickson Mwase sent a long ball forward after receiving a pass from Festus Duwe, who then spotted a run from Maonga, Maonga switched play to Lameck who crossed the ball in to find Duwe but his effort missed the target.
At 59 minutes, Duwe scored the fifth goal of the match after being set up by Maonga.
A minute later, Duwe paved the way for Ernest Petro.
Chipala squandered a chance three minutes after the hour mark when Lameck made a run down the right and delivered a cut-in cross, which the forward failed to keep down and it went over the bar.
Three minutes later, the hosts won a penalty after a foul in the eighteen-yard box by Nickson Mwase but Takondwa Mphanza failed to convert it as his effort hit the woodwork.
At 67 minutes a triple substitution was made as Innocent Shema, Charles Chipala, and Captain Chikondi Kamanga paved way for Levison Maganizo, Andrew Joseph, and Innocent Mtonga.
Ten minutes later, Emmanuel Allan came on for Lameck.
A minute from time, Uchizi Vunga recollected play from midfield and spotted Kalima’s run who passed straight to Joseph who made a run forward and took a shot on goal but the goalkeeper made a fantastic save.
Joseph’s effort was the last action for the match.
Speaking after the match, Head Coach Peter Mgangira praised his charges for a well-executed game plan.
Mgangira said the boys deserved praise saying Namitete Zitha was not a walkover despite the goal margin.
“It was not an easy game, this was a very unpredictable cup game. We could have scored more but the boys have been without action for so long so we squandered some chances but we will work.on it and see how we do in the round of 16,” said Mgangira.
Chipala was voted Man of the Match for scoring a brace.
The win sets up a round of 16 tie against Mzuzu City Hammers to be played on 24 January this year at Rumphi Stadium.
