Silver Strikers registered a second win of the season after beating Moyale Barracks 4-1 at Silver Stadium in Area 47, Lilongwe, on Saturday.
The win follows a 0-2win against Kamuzu Barracks last week at Champions Stadium in Mponela, Dowa.
A brace by Andrew Joseph and a goal each by Festus Duwe and Chinsisi Maonga were enough to sink the Kaning’ina Forest-based soldiers.
Silver Strikers showed early signs that it would rain goals as Maonga’s shot, which was aimed at goal, was blocked as early as three minutes. Twenty minutes later, Nickson Mwase hit the post from a rebound after Moyale Barracks cleared a corner.
It was a 50-50 encounter thereafter as Moyale Barracks piled pressure, and at 32 minutes, a free kick flew up, which was a second attempt at goal by the guests.
Joseph broke the deadlock at 38 minutes when Duwe’s effort was saved by Jeremiah Simfukwe; however, Joseph came in with a rebound to score his first of the game and the season.
The lone goal was the highlight of the game until halftime.
In the second half, Joseph doubled the lead at 51 minutes after beating Simfukwe in goals as he received a well-worked pass from Duwe in midfield. The move originated from Maonga, who switched play in our own half and saw Nickson Mwase, who quickly picked Duwe.
Moyale Barracks responded instantly as Charles Nkhoma headed home a free kick from a free kick.
Our first change came at the hour dot when Uchizi Vunga came on for Zebron Kalima. Eight minutes after the change, Festus Duwe pounced on the soldiers when he received a defense-splitting pass from McDonald Lameck.
As play was slowly proceeding, Maonga came with a cracker at 74 minutes when he drifted inside the field from the line and put the ball at the back of the net from outside the box.
Ten minutes from time, Dan Sandukira, Maonga, and Joseph were rested for Christopher Gototo, Tatenda M’balaka, and Lameck Gamphani. Five minutes later, another change was made as Lasuli Jali came on for Duwe.
Match Statistics:
It was an electric match as both sides played a passing game that was a beauty to the eye.
Silver Strikers led in goal attempts as the side registered eight attempts, four more than the visitors, while the Central Bankers had six shots on target compared with two from Moyale Barracks.
The match on Saturday produced no cautions as no side received a yellow or red card.
In goals, George Chikooka made two saves and conceded one goal, whilst his counterpart Simfukwe made a similar number of saves but conceded four goals.
Match Line Up for Silver Strikers:
Centre-back Lumbani Nyondo made his debut on Saturday as he came in place of Innocent Shema, who is recovering from an illness. Also playing his first match in this new season was Nickson Mwase, who was absent last week. He came on today in place of Yankho Billiat, who is nursing a knock.
The line-up was as follows: George Chikooka (GK), Dan Sandukira, Nickson Mwase, Lumbani Nyondo, McDonald Lameck, Festus Duwe, Chinsisi Maonga, Zebron Kalima, Ernest Petro, Levison Maganizo, and Andrew Joseph.
Substitutes: Uchizi Vunga (out Zebron Kalima-60’), Lameck Gamphani (out Chinsisi Maonga-80’), Christopher Gototo (out Andrew Joseph-80’), Tatenda M’balaka (out Dan Sandukira-80’), Lassuli Jali (out Festus Duwe-85’)
Unused Substitutes: Christopher Mikuwa (GK), Innocent Shema, Innocent Mtonga, Charles Chipala, Emmanuel Allan, Mally Kasongo.
Officiating Panel:
Referee- Godfrey Nkhakananga
First Assistant Referee- Straus Magwaza
Second Assistant Referee- Jonas Jonathan
Fourth Official- Gerald Charles Chimimba
