……Silver 5-0 Hammers
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Central Bankers continue showing intent of winning the championship of the 2024 TNM Super league as they have opened a 9-point gap over second placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers after hammering Mzuzu City 5-0 at Silver Stadium on Thursday, July 18, 2024.
Silver approached the match with so much aggression and precision, no wonder with just five minutes into the game they broke a dead lock through defender McDonald Lameck from a direct free-kick.
The bankers exchanged some delicious touches inside the visitors half and pint-sized winger, Zebron Kalima won a free kick 30 metres away from the goal, Lameck unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner.
Chinsinsi Maonga doubled Silver’ lead at 18th minute after receiving a sexy cut back pass from Lameck.
The home team continued exciting their fans with beautiful play and in the 27th minute Stain Davie scored the third goal Lameck being an architect and it was a mountain to climb for Mzuzu City Hammers.
The Central Bankers gaffer, Peter ‘Mjojo’ Mponda made changes as Nickson Mwase and Maxwell Paipi paved ways for Chisomo Mpachika and Emmanuel Kaunga whereas Hammers introduced Chinoso Uzoagha Promise and Brian Phiri for Samuel Amos and Mustafa Maulana respectively.
Referee Lameck Banda called for the recess with the Bankers in a comfortable 3-0 lead.
At the beginning of the second half Paul Kansungwi and Innocent Mtongo replaced Tatenda M’balaka and Chinsinsi Maonga.
In the 47th minute substitute Kansungwi stretched Silver’ lead from a Uchizi Vunga’s assist.
Few minutes after the fourth goal, Bankers created huge scoring chance through McDonald Lameck who received the ball from Patrick Macheso before unleashing a shot which was punched away by Hammers goal-stopper for a corner kick.
As the encounter approached hour-mark, Hammers started coming for the party but still lacked composure in the final third as they registered some shots on goal through Isaac Msiska.
The home team continued enjoying the ball possession which made life difficult for Mzuzu City Hammers. At 69th minute Stain Davie scored the fifth goal after Lameck excellently rounded Hammers’ defense before setting through the striker.
First yellow card of the match went to Innocent Mtonga for a bad tackle on Precious Phiri.
Mzuzu created a serious chance through Chinoso Uzoagha Promise in the 84th minute from a beautiful cross by Mkandawire.
The home team recovered the possession and Chimwemwe Idana’s thunderbolt from the edge of the box was blocked by Jimmy Msiska.
Former FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ Erick Kaonga was booked yellow card for a bad tackle on Idana.
Soon the match ended and McDonald Lameck was named player of the match.
Silver Strikers gaffer Peter Mponda, hailed his boys for executing their game plan well saying they have to plan for their next game against rookies FOMO which he described as another difficult match.
Mzuzu City Hammers Coach Kondwa Ikwanga said his boys failed to approach the match well hence the defeat.
“When you are playing away game the only secret is to deny the home side from scoring early goals which we failed. I am not happy with the result after coming from a win last week we thought we would do the same today”, explains Ikwanga.
The two teams have met eight (8) times and Silver Strikers FC have won five games whereas Hammers managed to win once with two games ending in draws.
With the win the bankers have accumulated 33 points from 13 games, opening a 9 point gap with second placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, 11 points with third placed Kamuzu Barracks FC and 13 points gap with the defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets who are on 5th position.
Other games played on Thursday, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers defeated Chitipa United 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium courtesy of Thierry Tanjong Sama goals.
Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos surrendered their 2-1 lead to draw 2-2 against Kamuzu Barracks at Dedza Stadium while the relegation threatened Baka City lost 2-1 to Moyale Barracks at home Karonga Stadium.