Silver Strikers registered a second win away from home on Saturday after beating CRECK Sporting Club 1-0 in a match played at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe.
The win sends Silver Strikers top of the table with 25 points from 12 games played.
On Saturday, Head Coach Peter Mgangira made one change only to the side that played LUANAR Mitundu FC in Dedza. Mgangira brought in Yankho Billiat for the injured Lumbani Nyondo.
Silver Strikers could have been one in front at 17 minutes when Ernest Petro connected a cross from Innocent Shema but the effort was ruled out for offside.
Six minutes later, Nickson Mwase found the back of the net when Zebron Kalima was brought down and Silver Strikers won a free kick. Emmance Nyirenda fumbled Chinsisi Maonga’s effort and Mwase came knocking to register his name on the scoresheet.
The Central Bankers took the lead to recess. At halftime, the hosts brought in Akuzike Lifa for Kelvin Banda.
At 63 minutes Dan Sandukira went in the referee’s book for a heavy foul. Tatenda M’balaka and Austin Yasin joined the fray three minutes later as they replaced Lassuli Jali and Chinsisi Maonga.
At 68 minutes, Silver Strikers continued to pile pressure on the hosts as Zebron Kalima curled in a beautiful corner in the 18-yard box and found Innocent Shema whose header went over the bar.
At 76 minutes, Charles Chipala came on for Andrew Joseph.
Four minutes from time, the hosts made a double substitution bringing in Laurent Banda and Ramadan Ntafu and taking out Trouble Banda and Hassan Hussein.
Despite the changes, the score line remained unchanged.
The Coach’s Reaction
First Assistant Coach Mapopa Kent Msukwa said he was happy with the win but acknowledged that the hosts gave his side a good run.
“It was a good game as both teams played very well. The first half was so good for us but in the second half the hosts improved their game and gave us a run however the team showed maturity and contained the game”, said Msukwa.
Match Statistics
A game of two halves that saw Silver Strikers enjoy the game more in the first half whilst the hosts came to the show in the second half. Silver Strikers had seven attempts which three were on target. The hosts had eight attempts and four were on goal.
On corners, the hosts registered three corners compared to seven by Silver Strikers. The Central Bankers went into the referee’s book twice through Dan Sandukira and Chinsinsi Maonga.
Man of the Match:
Zebron Kalima- Silver Strikers
Match Line Up for Silver Strikers:
Silver Strikers made one change to the side that started against LUANAR Mitundu in Dedza two weeks ago. Yankho Billiat came for Lumbani Nyondo.
The line-up was as follows: George Chikooka (GK), Dan Sandukira, Yankho Billiat, Innocent Shema, Nickson Mwase, Levison Maganizo, Zebron Kalima, Ernest Petro, Lasuli Jali, Andrew Joseph, and Chinsisi Maonga.
Substitutes: Tatenda M’balaka,(out: Lasuli Jali-66’), Austin Yasin (out: Chinsisi Maonga-66’), Charles Chipala (out: Andrew Joseph-76’), Eric Astigah (out: Yankho Billiat-90+4), and Innocent Mtonga (out: Zebron Kalima-90+4).
Unused Substitutes: Christopher Mikuwa, Precious Kupunda, Emmanuel Allan, and Christopher Gototo.
Officiating Team:
Referee: Idrissah Matola.
Assistants: Samson Wasili, and Emily Chathamthumba
Fourth Official: Kondwani Kamwendo
