Malawi TNM Super League:Chatsalira’s late strike ensure Silver pip determined Moyale
Ndaziona Chatsalira’s 90th minute strike earned TNM Super League defending champions Silver Strikers maximum points against Moyale Barracks FC in a closely fought encounter that ended 2-1 at Mzuzu Stadium on Sunday.
The defending champions showed they were in serious contention by starting the game on flying start pinning their hosts in their half.
The siege the Bankers laid on the Lions of Kaning’ina, as Moyale is popularly known, paid off when striker Ndaona Daisi pounced on a loose ball to notch home the opener to give defending champions much deserved lead.
However, the stunned lions roared back taking the game to the visitors in a bid to draw level with their talisman Gustin Simukonda, Deus Mkutu and Crispin Fukizi on the onslaught.
But their efforts did not pay any dividends as the defending champions held on their nerve till the whistle to mark the end of first half was blown.
After recess, the Lions of Kaning’ina were a rejuvenated side. They attacked wave after wave leaving the defending champions’ rearguard in disarray. No wonder, in the 47th minute Sanderous Munthali capitalized on the defence lapses in the Bankers’ rearguard.
Munthali burst through the left flank and unleashed a square ball in the Bankers’ area that landed in the way of Deus Mkutu who coolly slot the ball home, sending the largely partisan home crowd and ganyu fans into ecstasy.
Immediately after hitting the back of the net, the soldiers coaching panel pulled out Mkutu for Joseph Madeya.
The changes added more firepower into the soldiers attacking machinery. From that point, they shelled relentlessly into Silver’s area to kill off the game.
Simkonda nearly provided that much needed killer punch in the 62nd minute but his glancing header from a Chamveka Gwetsani cross flew over the bar.
Sensing danger, the Bankers made changes to their side by bringing in Peter Pindani and Peter Mwenda for Rodrick Gonani and injured Jimmy Ukonde.
The changes had immediate impact as the Bankers amidst pressure piled from the soldiers resorted to unleashing lightning counter attacks.
In the 83rd minute, Young Chimodzi Jnr launched a rasping long range shot that kissed the underside of the bar before goal custodian Oliseh Nkhwazi gathered the loose ball much to the relief of home side fans.
But it did not take long when the Bankers paid another visit into the Soldier’s area. Moyale had poured in numbers into the Bankers half leaving their rearguard exposed.
When everybody thought the game would end in a tie, Ndaziona Six-Million Chatsalira on the dot of full time latched on a loose ball in a counter-attack move and released a powerful shot into Moyale’s goal post.
Moyale’s assistant coach, Charles Kamanga conceded defeat saying his team did not play their usual game which made them to concede a goal at an awkward time.
“However, we will work on the weaknesses we had today in our next game Tuesday against Mzuzu United. We cannot promise our fans much but we will try hard to collect maximum points at all cost,” Kamanga said.
Silver Strikers’ team manager Sibusiso Padambo commended his charges for managing to collect maximum points. He said his side learnt a lesson from the Saturday encounter against Mzuzu United who came from behind thrice to force a draw.
“Mzuzu United style of play was unknown to us as a result we had difficulties to handle them. We drew lessons from that encounter and used a different approach in today’s game as such we were able to overcome Moyale and collect maximum points,” Padambo said.-Malawi News Agency
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