Silver Strikers Reserve have recorded back-to-back wins in the 2026/27 GOJET Investments Central Region Football Association Division One campaign after a 1-0 victory over LUANAR FC at Bingu Upper Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Area 47 Reserve side went into the encounter looking to build on the winning momentum from their previous 1-0 victory over Airborne Rangers a fortnight ago.
The side started brightly, with Hadji Dyton showing early hunger for an opener as Silver Reserve looked to take control of the game.
Silver Reserve continued to apply pressure and won 3 consecutive corners in the 30th minute, but LUANAR’s defence dealt with the deliveries from Blessings Phiri.
The hosts also had their moments, with goalkeeper Blessings Mhone surviving a scare in the 19th minute after Moses Shaba’s effort struck the bottom of the post following an error inside the box.
Both sides went to the halftime break goalless.
Head coach McDonald Yobe made a triple substitution at the start of the second half, introducing Sylvester Phiri, Chrispin Julayi and Andrew Mughogho for Prince Kumwembe, Cosmas Lyton and Hadji Dyton.
The changes brought fresh energy into the team’s attack, and the pressure finally paid off in the 54th minute. Blessings Phiri set up Archangel Mayola, whose effort was initially parried by LUANAR goalkeeper Albert Mkandawire, but the rebound found its way into the net.
Silver Reserve continued to push for a second, with Mayola later dribbling past the LUANAR defence before finding Phiri, but the move was stopped by the hosts.
Yobe made another change in the 69th minute as Brino Mdumuka came on for Chrispin Julayi.
LUANAR pushed for an equaliser late in the game, but the Reserve side remained disciplined defensively to protect their lead.
Speaking after the match, Yobe expressed his delight with the result, particularly as it marked the team’s first away victory of the campaign.
“It was a difficult game, maybe because of the pitch condition, but I thank the boys for the win. It is our first away win, so I think we have to take the momentum into the upcoming games and talk to the boys that we need to be winning even in games where we are playing on unfavourable pitches,” said Yobe.
The coach also credited the team’s relentless attacking approach for producing the decisive goal.
“We pressurised our opponents without ceasing, and that is what has found us a goal because we created several chances and we converted one. The boys then worked hard to avoid conceding. We will continue working on finding the formula of scoring a lot of goals in the upcoming fixtures,” he added.
The victory takes Silver Strikers Reserve to 15 points from 7 matches, having registered 4 wins and 3 draws while remaining unbeaten.
The Reserve side has now scored 7 goals and conceded just 3, giving them a goal difference of +4.
Forward Archangel Mayola capped another influential display by being named Player of the Match.
Silver Strikers Reserve Starting XI:
Blessings Mhone (GK), Umali Musa, Alufeyo Nyirenda, Moffat Mnyontho (C), Comfort Unyolo, Matias Kawanga, Prince Kumwembe (Sylvester Phiri – 46′), Blessings Phiri, Cosmas Lyton (Chrispin Julayi – 46′ [Brino Mdumuka – 69′]), Archangel Mayola, Hadji Dyton (Andrew Mughogho – 46′).
Unused substitutes:
Jonathan Mtonga, Patrick Mponda, Francis Kadango, Bright Ngoma, Haward Kamuona.
