Silver Strikers registered a perfect start to the 2026/27 FDH Premiership after beating Kamuzu Barracks 0-2 on Saturday at Champions Stadium in Mponela, Dowa.
First-half goals from Festus Duwe were what the Central Bankers needed to earn their first three points.
The result was a ‘De Javu’ for the Area 47 side, as last year the team got its first league win over Kamuzu Barracks by a similar margin.
The Central Bankers started the match on a high note as they piled pressure on the Chiwoko-based soldiers, leading to a blunder when goalkeeper Eticken Sibande slipped as he attempted to beat Duwe, who pressed him, while the home side wanted to build play from the back. Duwe got possession of the ball and slotted home his first goal easily in a wide net.
Duwe could have scored his second goal of the day a bit earlier at eight minutes when a rebound fell at his feet after Levison Maganizo failed to shoot on goal when Kamuzu Barrack’s defense came quickly to clear a threat. Duwe’s effort failed to cause the damage.
The second goal came ten minutes from half-time when the captain of the day, Zebron Kalima, spotted Duwe’s run on the right and provided a perfect pass that saw Duwe convert it into a goal when he beat his marker and curled in a beauty.
The Central Bankers went to half-time two up.
The second half was slow compared to the first, but the hosts looked to be on a mission to get back into the match, however that did not happen.
Andrew Joseph was close to registering his name on the scoresheet at 51 minutes when Duwe released Dan Sandukira on the left. Sandukira quickly played in a cross with his first touch and found Joseph in the box, but his connection with the ball failed to cause problems as the header did not have power behind it.
Both sides made several changes, but the score line remained the same.
Match Statistics:
The match was lively as both teams showed hunger to score despite the scoreline only registering two goals for the visiting team. Silver Strikers registered 14 shots, of which 3 were on target, whilst the home side had 9 shots and two were on target.
The match recorded four yellow cards, where one went to Silver Strikers (Innocent Shema) whilst the three went to Kamuzu Barracks (Francis Lackson, Herbet Wayekha, and Mike Ntonyo). The match did not produce a red card.
Between the sticks, Eticken Sibande produced one fantastic save, and the two other shots that went towards his goal went in. On the other end, George Chikooka managed to keep a clean sheet as he made two saves on Saturday afternoon.
Match Line Up for Silver Strikers:
Defending midfielder Yankho Billiat was the only new face in the starting line-up as he partnered Innocent Shema in central defense. First Vice Captain Zebron Kalima started ahead of his Captain Uchizi Vunga in midfield, and Kalima played alongside Ernest Petro, Levison Maganizo, Chinsisi Maonga, and Fetsus Duwe.
The line-up was as follows: George Chikooka (GK), Dan Sandukira, Innocent Shema, Yankho Billiat, McDonald Lameck, Festus Duwe, Chinsisi Maonga, Zebron Kalima, Ernest Petro, Levison Maganizo, and Andrew Joseph.
Substitutes: Erick Atsigah (out Chinsisi Maonga-64’), Uchizi Vunga (out Andrew Joseph-70’), Christopher Gototo (out Zebron Kalima-70’), and Lameck Gamphani (out Festus Duwe-80’).
Unused Substitutes: Charles Thom (GK), Tatenda M’balaka, Innocent Mtonga, Lassuli Jali, Emmanuel Allan.
Officiating Panel:
Referee- Idrissa Matola
First Assistant Referee- Yohane Chiutika
Second Assistant Referee- Mackson Phiri
Fourth Official- McCloud Dickson
