Silver held in controversial Bullets draw: Malawi Super League
Champions Silver Strikers were thwarted by Big Bullets who benefited from a controversial penalty in the elite TNM Super League match at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday.
The game ended 1-1.
Dave Moya gave the Banker a lead when he headed in Chikondi Likwemba’s well taken corner kick before Bullets drew level through James Chilapondwa’s controversial spot-kick.
Drama
There was some drama before the kick-off of the match as supporters from both sides tussled onto the field of play.
It started when three Silver Strikers fans entered the field of play with their players, who were doing some warm-ups before the kick-off.
The development did not go well with some Big Bullets fans, who stormed the field of play demanding for the ouster of the non-players. The three Bullets fans tussled with their colleagues while pushing them outside the field of play.
Kick-Off
The pulsating draw kicked-off on a low note, as both sides failed to settle in the first 20 minutes of the match.
However, Bullets were a better side in the first 45 minutes as they pressed the Bankers especially through their wonder boy Gabadihno Mhango and veteran Heston Munthali.
The Bankers were outplayed on the midfield where Young Chimodzi Junior lost more of the ball possession giving Chimango Kayira more space to manouver.
Bullets also breathed fire on the right flank, where Fischer Kondowe was operating as he made several runs only for Mhango and Munthali being frustrated by Charles Swini in the Bankers goal.
On recess time, it was 0-0.
Second half
Come second half, two minutes after the kick-off, Silver opened the score sheet through Moya’s header after receiving a well taken corner kick from Chikondi Likwemba.
The Bankers continued to attack at every opportunity with Harvey Mkacha and Rodrick Gonani effective in creating chances with their vision and touch – both from the centre of the pitch as well as the flanks.
Controversy
The controversial moment came when Bullets profited from a contentious penalty that was awarded when Heston Munthali went down that appeared to show there was no serious tackle.
It took some minutes for the Bankers supporters to accept the penalty with some players threatening to walk out of the field. But their assistant coach Hellings Mwakasungula,
pleaded with them to go ahead with the game.
Chilapondwa slotted in as Silver’s Charles Swini went the wrong way.
After Bullets goal, the Bankers breathed fire as they were coming wave after wave putting Bullets defence on which was marshaled by George Nyirenda on the tight rope.
It was Dave Moya’s set-piece shot that hit the net which caused another storm, as referee ruled out the goal for offside.
After the final whistle Silver Strikers technical panel refused to talk to the media while Big Bullets coach Eding’ton Ng’onamo saluted his troops for the equalizer.
“It was a tough match but all in all lam happy because we have collected a vital point,” said Ng’onamo.
