Silver held after Moyale’s late equalizer: Malawi Super League
Moyale Barracks, the Northern Region soccer kings, squandered several scoring opportunities but still managed to grab a late equalizer defending champions Silver Strikers to draw 1-1 in the TNM Super League encounter at Mzuzu Stadium on Saturday.
After withstanding a barrage of attacks from the solders of Kaning’ina in the entire first half and beginning phase of the second half, the Bankers drew first blood in the 64th minute through substitute Ndaona Daisi. It was 1-0 for the visitors.
Daisi had just been thrown into the field for nine minutes after replacing burly Dave Moya who was completely marked out when he changed the game’s status.
But the goal was not without drama as Moyale confronted the Mzuzu based referee Mavuto Msimuko for about a minute claiming their goalkeeper was impeded by Silver player in the act.
The goal seemed to have deeply dampened Moyale spirits as the visitors, who will be hosted by the already relegated Kabwafu United on Sunday at the same venue, took control of the proceedings.
The Bankers, one of the seasons’ hottest title chasers, were really lifted after the goal but they had to wait late drama though.
As everybody thought the game would end in their favour, Moyale’s wonder kid Gustin Simukonda produced one of his best goals at the dot of full time for a deserved 1-1 draw leaving the capital city giants in total disbelief.
The Moyale marksman who had a grand 90 minutes of play scored through a hammer shot taken from a well-angled free-kick that hit the roof of the net to force Silver goal tender Charles Swini, Malawi’s number 2, scratch his head.
The hosts came close to grabbing a winner in the three minutes added time through Chamveka Gwetsani but Silver’s defence marshaled by skipper Luky Malata made sure not to let their single point slip them.
The Temwa Msuku’s team have now stretched their unbeaten run to eight matches recording five wins against Blue Eagles (1-0), MAFCO (3-1), Azam Tigers (2-0), Kabwafu (1-0) and ESCOM United (3-1) with three draws against Kamuzu Barracks (0-0), Mighty Wanderers (0-0) and Silver Strikers (1-1 today).
On the other hand, the Lilongwe giants have not lost in five games in which they beat MAFCO 4-3, Blue Eagles 1-0, CIVO 3-0 and two draws again Bullets and Moyale both games ended 1-1.
Silver really did not play the type of game they are associated with with most of their star-players like Frank Banda and Young Chimodzi junior being reduced to mere passengers.
After another controversial draw last weekend against Bullets FC at the Kamuzu Stadium, Silver’s chances of defending the league keep falling off. They now have 45 points from 22 three games more than the surprise league leaders Blantyre United who have played 25 games and have 48 points. United are on bye this weekend .
After the game, Moyale head coach Temwa Msuku had no kind words for the officiating team claiming the referee should have disallowed Silver’s goal because it was scored after their goalkeeper was fouled.
“Last week Silver complained that officiation was not good but today you have seen he allowed a goal when our goalkeeper was fouled. So sometimes when we complain that officiation of our referees leaves a lot to be desired we are deemed as difficult people,” complained Msuku.
But Silver Strikers assistant coach Hellings Mwakasungura said they were happy to have collected a point in a game fully dominated by the hosts.
“We didn’t play our usual game, we didn’t start well but we scored first and when we thought we would collect maximum points we lost concentration and conceded that foal. All in all I must congratulate Moyale, they played a grand game but 1-1 I think is a fair result to us,” said Mwakasungula.
At Civo Stadium, Epac F.C and Kamuzu Barracks also played a goalless draw with Tsanzo Dalio for Epac being voted man of the match.
