Bankers, Mafco in Standard Bank Cup semis

Silver Strikers FC on Sunday, August 17, 2014 set up a crucial Standard Bank Cup semi-final tie against defending champions Mighty Wanderers after edging Blue Eagles 2-1 in a tough quarterfinal match played before a good crowd at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.

Eagles goalie Chakonda Majanga in a futile a ... lira's penalty kick, Pic Alex Mwazalumo
Eagles goalie Chakonda Majanga in a futile a … lira’s penalty kick, Pic Alex Mwazalumo
Eagles in search for an equaliser, Pic Alex Mwazalumo
Eagles in search for an equaliser, Pic Alex Mwazalumo
Eagles' goal under siege, Pic Alex Mwazalumo
Eagles’ goal under siege, Pic Alex Mwazalumo
Buying time! Two Silver players lay on the field for first aid attention, Pic Alex Mwazalumo.
Buying time! Two Silver players lay on the field for first aid attention, Pic Alex Mwazalumo.
Kaonga eludes a Blue Eagles defender, Pic Alex Mwazalumo
Kaonga eludes a Blue Eagles defender, Pic Alex Mwazalumo

The bankers had to fight from behind after Eagles’ Schumaker Kuwali had shot the cops from Area 30 in front in the opening 10 minutes.

The Eagles’ striker waved through three Silver defenders before placing the ball wide of the Bankers’ second choice goalkeeper Blessings Kamiza, standing in for injured Charles Swini.

Winger Blessings Tembo levelled for the Bankers on the half hour with a brilliant strike from a free-kick.

Midway into the last half, Zomba based referee Denis Ngulube awarded Silver a penalty following a foul on Chawanangwa Kaonga inside the D-zone. From the spot, left footed Ndaziona Chatsalira beat diving Chakonda Majanga, who nearly stopped the penalty kick.

Eagles fought tooth and nail for an equalizer but Silver’s defence which was without suspended captain Lucky Malata was equal to the task.

Speaking after the final whistle, Silver’s coach Stain Chirwa saluted his charges for playing to instructions.

“It was a tough game but we had a slight edge over our opponents. Blue Eagles were in control in
the early moments and we told our boys at half time to be first on the ball, which they did in the last half,” said Chirwa.

Commenting on the semi final tie against Wanderers, who have beaten the Bankers in the final for the previous two editions of the Standard Bank Cup, Chirwa simply said: “It will be a tough game but fans are going to watch a very good game.”

Eagles’ assistant coach Wilson Chidati blamed the loss on the second half penalty.

“We have lost but the referee was not supposed to give that penalty. It was a 50-50 challenge in the box but the striker (Kaonga)

Playing earlier in another quarterfinal at the same venue, Mafco FC, alias the Soccer Instructors taught their young brothers Airborne Rangers a lunch hour lesson, crashing the Paratroopers 3-0.

Former Blue Eagles’ midfielder Patrick Masanjala scored in each half before Emmanuel Chipeta sealed the last nail on Airborne’s coffin.

Mafco will now face Azam Tigers, who defeated Kamuzu Barracks 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium.

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