Twimepoki Mangani
Lilongwe April 23 Mana: Silver Strikers have collected their first maximum three points in the 2023 TNM Super League after defeating Blue Eagles 1-0 on Saturday April 22 at NankhakaStadium in Lilongwe.
The match was played in a well patronised atmosphere with different shades of blues representing supporters of both teams as they were looking to bounce back after dropping points in their previous fixtures.
It took Silver Strikers two minutes to break the deadlock, after Mark Fodya’s well-crafted lob landed in Stanie Davies path for a strike which was saved by goalkeeper Brighton Munthali only to have Chimwemwe Idana latch on to the loose ball for the goal.
After the goal Strikers kept mounting pressure on the host team which found it slightly harder to create clear cut chances themselves and to establish a tempo for the game. Referee Chilnda Alfred sent off Schumacher Kuwali and NicksonMwase on the 19th minute after the pair had an altercation on the pitch.
In a post-match interview Silver Strikers Coach Pieter De Jonghhailed his charges for the great performance reaffirming that the team is on the right track though the process will take time but also urged the referees to demonstrate better fair play.
“That’s two matches and four points against the number one and two from last season. We had a great performance today, good focus, mentality and discipline, very strong on the ball and our opponent didn’t play football it looked like they played rugby.
Coach De Jongh further said his team will improve ahead of the next fixture and believes Nickson Mwase’s defensive position will we ably occupied in his absence due to suspension.
On the other hand Coach of Blue Eagles Christopher Sibale said the team admitted the narrow defeat to Silver Strikers and further called out the referee for failure to control the game and award fair fouls in a match mirrored by tempers.
“That’s part of the game we have to go back and see where we went wrong and bounce back and definitely the dismissal of our captain Kuwali affected the entire team,” Sibale said.
Chikondi Kamanga was awarded man of the match, Silver Strikers made three changes in the course of the game while Blue Eagles utilized five replacements and made visible adjustments in the second half.
In other matches played on Saturday Karonga United drew 2-2 with Chitipa United at Karonga, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers beat Red Lions 3-0 and Bangwe and Mighty Tigers had a goalless draw.