The third meeting in the Airtel Top 8 went sideways for the Central Bankers on Sunday as Karonga United produced a shocker by winning to three goals to nil in the match played at Karonga Stadium.
This is the first time for Karonga United to beat Silver Strikers since the promotion of the latter into top flight football in Malawi.
On Sunday, Silver Strikers went into the match leading by two goals on aggregate.
Charles Chipala scored in the second minute of the match when he connected a ball from Zebron Kalima but was later disallowed for a handball. Chipala came knocking again at 10 minutes but his effort was stopped as the flag went up for offside.
Innocent Shema headed home a ball from Tatenda M’balaka six minutes later but it was called off for an offside.
Karonga United made their first change in the 25th minute when Anthony Mwalilino was taken off for Yusuf Adesola.
The first half was a rollercoaster for Silver Strikers as the side enjoyed possession. In added time, Levison Maganizo got a yellow card for a foul in midfield. At half time, the match was goalless.
At the break, the hosts introduced Lenox Kiwambe for Walusungu Gondwe. Three minutes into the second half, Yankho Billiat was shown a yellow card for a tackle on a Karonga United player.
The hosts came back a changed side as they showed to be a greater threat than Silver Strikers. It was not a surprise that ten minutes later Karonga United got the lead when substitute Kiwambe found the back of the net. We made a quick reaction as we introduced Andrew Joseph and Chinsisi Maonga for Tatenda M’balaka and Charles Chipala.
At 65 minutes, the hosts introduced Eric Mandanda for Tambulani Mwale.
Godfrey Siwale doubled the hosts’ lead at 68 minutes to level the scores on aggregate. Four minutes later, we tried to respond through Andrew Joseph, who beat the keeper and opened up Chinsisi Maonga, but his effort went wide.
At 78 minutes, we introduced Emmanuel Allan and Christopher Gototo for Festus Duwe and Zebron Kalima.
Seven minutes from time, Kiwambe came again and completed a brace when he completed a beautiful move to snatch the aggregate lead. Adesola for Karonga United went in the referee’s book a minute later for a foul on Christopher Gototo.
The match ended in a historic 3-0 on the day and 3-2 on aggregate which meant Silver Strikers were out of the 2026 Airtel Top 8.
The Coach’s Reaction
Head Coach Peter Mgangira praised his boys for a spirited fight but however felt that the officiating team of the day let his side down.
“It was a very good game for us, we had total control of play in the first half. The boys put up a gallant fight but the officiating panel let us down. However we accept defeat as there is nothing we can changeThis is not the result we expected but we move on”, said Mgangira.
Match Statistics
It was an entertaining encounter as the match was devided in two half. Silver Strikers enjoyed possession in the first half while the hosts got the better part of the game in the second half. the hosts pushed for victory to return to winning ways and reclaim top spot in the league.
Silver Strikers had 8 shots where from the 8 two were on target. The two on target came in the second hhalf of the match. On the other hand, Karonga United similar shots like the guests but had six shots at goal. enjoyed the better attacking statistics, registering 12 goal attempts, seven of them on target. Karonga United managed six attempts, with four on target.
The Central Bankers won three corners while the hosts had six. In terms of cautions, Silver Strikers receive three yellow cards (Emmaunel Chipatala, Levison Maganizo and Yankho Billiat).
Man of the Match:
Lenox Kiwambe
Match Line Up for Silver Strikers:
Charles Thom (GK), Dan Sandukira, Lumbani Nyondo, Innocent Shema, Yankho Billiat, Tatenda M’balaka, Zebron Kalima, Ernest Petro, Festus Duwe, Levison Maganizo and Charles Chipala.
Substitutes: Andrew Jospeh, Chinsisi Maonga (out Tatenda M’balaka, Charles Chipala-63’), Emmanuel Allan, Christopher Gototo (out Festus Duwe, Zebron Kalima-78’)
Unused Substitutes: George Chikooka (GK), Nickson Mwase, Innocent Mtonga, Austin Yasin and Lassuli Hali.
Officiating Team:
Referee: Cedric Mwachumu
1st Assistant Referee: Grant Mussa
2nd Assistant Referee: McHestings Kanjati
Fourth Official: Waliko Simfuwe
