LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Silver Strikers have booked their place in the next round of the CAF Champions League after holding Elgeco Plus of Madagascar to a goalless draw at Bingu National Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The result saw the Malawian side progress courtesy of the away goals rule, having scored in the first leg in Madagascar where the match ended 1-1.
This marks a significant milestone for the Bankers, who continue to make strides in continental football.
The match was tense and tightly contested, with both teams creating chances but failing to convert.
Silver Strikers’ defense stood firm against persistent attacks from the visitors, while their attack tested Elgeco Plus’s goalkeeper several times, only to be denied by brilliant saves and lack of sharp finishing.
Speaking after the match, Silver Strikers’ head coach Edson Kadenge expressed his delight at progressing to the next stage.
“I am very happy that we have managed to move forward in this competition. Elgeco Plus is a very strong side and today’s game was tough but my players gave everything on the pitch,” Kadenge said.
However, Kadenge admitted that his team needs to improve ahead of the upcoming fixtures if they are to go deeper into the tournament.
“There are areas where we struggled today and we need to work on them before the next round. We must prepare thoroughly because the competition will only get tougher from here,” he added.
This is the first time in several years that Silver Strikers have reached this stage of the CAF Champions League, boosting hopes for Malawian football fans.
The Bankers will now wait to learn their next opponents, who will be either Young Africans (Yanga SC) of Tanzania or Wiliete of Angola, depending on the outcome of their second-leg clash.