The Central Bankers returned to winning ways on Saturday after beating MAFCO FC 1-0. A 50th-minute strike by Ernest Petro was what made the difference in an entertaining match played at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
Silver Strikers returned from a goalless draw against Mighty Wanderers last week.
On Saturday, Head Coach Peter Mgangira made three changes to the side as he brought in Uchizi Vunga, Dan Sandukira and Innocent Mtonga.
In the first 20 minutes for the match, Silver Strikers was the better side as chances kept on coming but to hit the nail on the head and find the back of the net seemed to be a problem. The Central Bankers came close to finding the lead at 23 minutes when Andrew Joseph’s effort struck the woodwork.
Four minutes later, Silver Strikers were also denied the lead when Festus Duwe’s penalty was saved by Owen Mbale. The penalty was won after Paul Ndhlovu brought down Petro.
Joseph Donsa was the first to go in the referee’s book after a foul on goalkeeper George Chikooka.
The two sides went to half-time without a goal.
Come second half, the guests looked like the best side as two minutes into the half, they created a chance that saw themselves fail to score when Donsa failed to reach a cross from the left flank.
Five minutes into the second half, Silver Strikers found the lead when Petro tapped in a diagonal ball from McDonald Lameck. After the goal, we kept on piling pressure and creating chances, but we couldn’t double the lead.
We made our first change at 73 minutes when Chinsisi Maonga came on for Festus Duwe.At 90 minutes, Tatenda M’balaka came on for Zebron Kalima.
The changes did not help change the scoreline as the match ended 1-0 in our favor.
The Coach’s Reaction:
Reacting to the win, First Assist Coach Mapopa Kent Msukwa praised his charges, saying this was a good response from last week’s result.
“This was one of the best games we have played so far; we had a good opposition. We always want to play better than yesterday, and today’s performance was good compared with the one we had in Zomba last week. We made changes based on the availability of players, and we performed well. A win in our sixth match is all we needed, and we are happy for the result”, said Msukwa.
Match Statistics:
An electric match it was as both sides looked to play well to find the back of the net. A goal only at home seemed like something fans didn’t expect as the home side piled on the pressure to the guests.
Silver Strikers were the better side in terms of goal attempts as the side had six attempts with three going on target. The guests had three attempts on goal.
With only a goal to count for, Silver Strikers won eight corner kicks compared to four from the guests. Three yellow cards went to MAFCO FC (Joseph Donsa, Awali Alli and Paul Ndlhovu) whilst the hosts got none. The match did not produce a red card.
Man of the Match:
Ernest Petro
This is a second successive man of the match for the midfielder after winning the same last week.
Match Line Up for Silver Strikers:
Silver Strikers made three changes to the side that played Mighty Wanderers in Zomba. Uchizi Vunga, Dan Sandukira and Innocent Mtonga came on for Lameck Gamphani, Nickson Mwase and Innocent Shema.
The line-up was as follows: George Chikooka (GK), Innocent Mtonga, Dan Sandukira, Lumbani Nyondo, McDonald Lameck, Festus Duwe, Uchizi Vunga, Zebron Kalima, Ernest Petro, Levison Maganizo, and Andrew Joseph.
Substitutes: Chinsisi Maonga (out Festus Duwe-73’), Tatenda M’balaka (out Zebron Kalima-90’).
Unused Substitutes: Christopher Mikuwa, Yankho Billiat, lassuli Jali, Lameck gamphani, Christopher Gototo, Emmanuel Allan and Charles Chipala.
Officiating Team:
Referee: Godfrey Nkhakananga
1st Assistant Referee: Evance Msonda
2nd Assistant Referee: Mathias Chirwa.
Fourth Official: Charles Chimimba
