Silver fight from behind to hold Mafco 2-2
Reigning TNM Super League champions Silver Strikers Saturday, April 26, 2014 escaped from the jaws of defeat as they fought from behind to hold visiting Mafco 2-all in a TNM Super League encounter played before a good crowd at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
The bankers, as Silver are fondly called by their followers were destined for a home defeat when the visiting Soccer Instructors from Salima struck twice within a space of 15 minutes. Red hot Calliston Kalinda struck the first goal for the soldiers after 22 minutes before Richard Mbulu headed in the second from a cross by Zasha Mnongoneza.
Four minutes to the break Silver were awarded a penalty by Lilongwe based referee Anord Maseko following a handball by Mnong’oneza. Frank Banda converted from the spot to rest the scores 2-1 at half time.
On resumption Silver rested Mike Robert for Sam Gunda before pushing in Peter Pindani for Lazarus ‘Deco’ Nyemera. The move paid dividends as the Bankers pilled incessant pressure on the Instructors, forcing them to commit a number of defensive errors.
Pindani was nearly on target moments after coming in when he waved through Mafco’s defence before firing against the base of the cross-bar.
The bankers pulled level in the 74th minute when aging striker Rodrick Gonani got possession of a loose ball inside the box and controlled the ball before firing wide of Mafco goalkeeper Jailos Kapalamula.
Defender Maurice Chiumia nearly gifted Silver the third goal, when he fell in the box and handled the ball in the process. Maseko did not hesitate to point to the dreaded spot once more but this time Banda struck against the crossbar.
Both coaches- Stain Chirwa for the home side and Stero Gondwe for Mafco welcomed the 1-all draw, which has taken the hosts tally from -6 to -5 with two games played. Mafco now have four points from three games.
Silver are still second from the bottom at minus five points while Mafco have four points on second position.
Elsewhere, Big Bullets claimed a second consecutive casualty from the military after edging Kamuzu Barracks 1-0 at Kamuzu Stadium with Epac FC crashing rookies Chikwawa United 3-0 at Kalulu.
Karonga United had a field day over fellow new comers Airborne Rangers thrashing the
soldiers from Salima 3-1 at Mzuzu Stadium.
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