…….Silver 4-1 Dedza
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Central Bankers successfully transacted on Airtel money as they deposited four-goals in their first leg quarterfinal account against Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos at the Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
Chimwemwe Idana made the first deposit with just 9 minutes into the game with a solo effort as he intercepted the ball from Dedza Dynamos’ player before launching an attack, driving forward from the midfield into the box before unleashing a shot into the net.
The home side kept pressing for more goals, Dedza’s Victor Lungu was shown a yellow card following a foul on Zebron Kalima in 13th minute.
Despite the slender lead, Mponda made an early change in his attacking force taking out Charles Chipala who was playing against his former team and seemed not to be up on his game. He replaced him with Stain Davie in 27th minute.
In the 34th minute Binwell Katinji found a bit of a room and launched a thunderous shot from range but Dedza blocked the effort.
Pint-sized winger Zebron Kalima extended Bankers lead in the 40th minute from a Stain Davie’s good pass.
But Dedza protested the goal claiming there was an offside but after consultations with his assistants, the centre referee Newton Nyirenda, the goal stood.
Substitute Stain Davie had a chance to stretch bankers’ lead further in the 45th minute, he stole the ball from Dedza shot-stopper Donnex Mwakasinga however his weak shot failed to cross the line before the goal-minder recovered the ball.
At the recess, Silver Strikers led by two goals to nil courtesy of Chimwemwe Idana and Zebron Kalima. Final stanza started with the bankers searching for quick goals but Dedza dispossessed their move and Gift Magola broke free on the left beating Innocent Shema with an electric feet before sending his effort off target.
The former Blue Eagles and Dwangwa United attacker Chifuniro Mpinganjira pulled one back for Dedza in the 54th minute, he capitalized on a blunder by Silver’s shot-stopper Pilirani Mapira to slot the ball in an empty net.
After the goal Dedza started coming wave after wave searching for an equalizer.
In the 60th minute Dedza head coach Andrew Bunya made a double change, he introduced Limbani Phiri and Lennox Kiwambe for Victor Lungu and Edward Dakalira as Bankers took off Binwell Katinji for Chinsinsi Maonga.
Bankers scored third goal through Maonga who finished the ball from a close range after receiving a flick on header from Stain Davie in the 64th minute.
The Central Bankers introduced Chikondi Kamanga for Levison Maganizo to reinforce the midfield.
Chinsinsi Maonga scored his second goal of the day after connecting a shot from Chimwemwe Idana to make it 4-1 to Silver Strikers in the 80th minute.
The home side nearly scored the fifth goal as Maonga sent a good ball inside from corner kick but goalkeeper Donnex Mwakasinga rised high to punch it for safety.
Time fast ticked and referee Newton Nyirenda ended the match with Silver Strikers having a 4-1 advantage in the first leg of the quarterfinal. Later Zebron Kalima was voted Dolo of the match.
In a post match interviews Coach Peter Mponda hailed his charges for utilizing home ground advantage.
“We created numerous chances but managed to score four not bad, I am happy for the boys that they took advantage of playing at home. It’s not over yet as we are to play away in Dedza in the second leg, they are a good side and anything can happen in cup games but I am excited with the super performance from the boys”, said Mponda.
On his part Dedza Dynamos head Coach Andrew Bunya acknowledged his side failed to contain the pressure from Silver Strikers he also attributed the loss to poor officiation.
“We never expected to loss with such a margin but will go back to the drawing board and prepare well for the return leg at home, they have scored 4 here and we could score even 3-0 to force the game somewhere. I am upbeat we will win and overturn the table”, echoed Bunya.
The second leg between Dedza Dynamos and Silver Strikers will be played on 20th October 2024 at Dedza Stadium. Silver Strikers will be looking to win the Airtel Top 8 for the third time. They won the inaugural in 2017 and secondly in 2019.
First quarterfinals results, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets defeated Civil Service United 3-0, Chitipa United thumped Kamuzu Barracks 2-0 whereas Mighty Mukuru Wanderers were 1-0 victors over Bangwe All Stars.
