Twimepoki Mangani
Chimwemwe Idana’s 83rdminute goal was enough to help Silver Strikers see off Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 1-0 in a TNM Super League encounter played yesterday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
It was a game of two halves with Wanderers dominating the first while the Bankers came to the party in the second.
Gaddie Chirwa was making resounding runs, establishing link-up plays with Chiukepo Msowoya, Francisco Madinga as well as the towering center back Lawrence Chaziya, who was surging forward in attempt to capitalize on emerging set pieces.
After recess, Silver Strikers mounted pressure on the visitorswith Idana registering his first shot on target in the 49th minute.
Silver grew in confidence, as they collectively attacked through Idana, Tatenda M’balaka, Patrick Macheso and AtusayeNyondo.
Idana finally managed to beat Nomads goalie William Thole in the 83rd minute after he latched on to a pass from AtusayeNyondo.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Silver’s coach Pieter de Jongh said his team deserved the win, saying they controlled the game.
“In the first half we had one big chance, then in the second half we had chances and also scored.
“The result changes nothing; we want to win every game which is not easy and therefore today’s victory is very important,” saidDe Jongh.
On the other hand, coach for Wanderers, Mark Harrison, decried his side’s lack of precision in front of goal, a problem which has haunted him for most of the season.
“Again we threw it away with about 5 minutes to go by giving away a silly goal.
“We had two center backs on the edge of the box, we had to do basic defending and at least 0-0 would have been a fair result,” he said.
Harrison added that the league is now tight and they can only hope for FCB Nyasa Big Bullets to drop some points.
De Jongh did not finish the match from the dugout, following a red card he received in the 85th minute for arguing with the fourth official.
The Bankers are now on third place with 43 points from 24 games while the Nomads have maintained top position with 47 points from 25 games.