Blunt Strikers held by Kaning’ina soldiers

New coach, same story for Silver Strikers as they have once again dropped points after held to a goalless draw at home in a game that Bankers did not turn up to cheer for their team.

The interm coach for Silver Strikers, McDonald Yobe handed a start to Steve Micheta, Tatenda M’balaka and Levison Maganizo. The later replaced Flames’ Number ome goalkeeper, Charles Thom while the former Wizard Midfielder, Maganizo was deployed as a box to box midfieder while M’bakaka replaced Fodya as the left back.

Silver seemed reinvigorated with the alterations with a 70% ball possession in the first 10 minutes but they were shy to register shots on target.

Maxwell Gasten Phodo was handed a start over Chawanangwa Kaonga and he was a twin striker for Silvers’ top scorer, Stain Davie.

Phodo was the one who could have destroyed the Lions of Kaning’ina had it been that he was lethal but to the contrast, Phodo was as blunt as spoon.

In the 2nd minute of the game, Gasten had a super chance to render his team a lead after a brilliant exchanges of passes between the two shining stars, Tatenda M’balaka and Zebron Kalima. The last touch found Phodo who blasted his shot into the air from the edge of the box.

Two minutes later, Silver defence caught off gaurd thanks to Steve Micheta who was alert to deny former Civil Service forward, Raphael Phiri from breaking the deadlock. Phiri received a pass from Mphenzi outside the box but his hammer shot went straight into the palms of Micheta.

Yobe’s men increased the intensity of the game from there as Kalima and Duncan Nyoni were troubling the stagnant Moyale’s full-backs from both flanks.

A bleak afternoon became worse for Silver as the flexible winger, Zebron Kalima had a chance but his effort went wide from close range. It was a beautiful free kick from meters away from the box that was well taken by M’balaka who spotted Kalima but his convertion rate was poor after 8 minutes.

In the 19th minute, the post came into rescue of Moyale Barracks as Nyoni’s shot hit the cross bar.

Phodo had a another golden chance after spotted by Kalima from the left flank but his touch was not good as he failed to connect it well.

Silver Strikers were a better team in the first half, creating chances, marking and pressing were simple tips for them but shooting was their mother-in-laws.

Moyale were struggling as their were disjointed thanks to Maneno Nyoni and Black Alissen who formed a rock at the back.

Moyale’s midfield were not at their best as it was failing to link the offensive players and defensive players. They were failing to close gaps and positioning and passinv were things that were needed to call attention from Prichard Mwansa.

It ended goalless at the break.

Both Timothy Nyirenda and Black Alissen had a yellow card each.

Silver had 7 attempts while Moyale had 2 with one on target.

In second half, Moyale looked an improved side as they were trying to play a passing and attacking football.

In the 49th minute Harawa was called into action from free kick taken by Kalima from thw edge of the box.

Prichard Mwansa sensed danger as he made his first permutation by introducing former Dwangwa United Star Hassan Upindi for Khumbo Mhone. Njaliwa and Mdoka were all given a rest for Robert Mphenzi and Mfukizi.

Chawanangwa Kaonga, Tathedwa Willard, Rodwell Robert were thrown in for Unfiring Gasten Phodo, Stain Davie and Zebron Kalima.

After all the changes, nothing changed as the game ended gaolless.

In the post match interviews, Coach for Silver Strikers, MacDonald Yobe said his charges missed a number of chances.

“We had a good game, we missed a lot of chances but for yhe game, it was good. Its painful because it was a game that we would have finished in the first half.

” My boys did not play well in the second half, may be it was a fatigue.

“The pressure is mounting on us, but We, so too supporters we are looking forward to start winning games, ” said Yobe.

His Counter part, Prichard Mwansa said though it was not their target but earning a point away from home, it was a great achievement.

He said, “We didn’t play well especially in the first half. Silver were a better team, nocking on our door but thanks to my boys who formed a rock at the back blocking Silver Strikers.

“Its part of football, we are satisfied with a point.”

The draw means that the Central Bankers who suspended their Zambian Coach over poor performance are winless in their last three games. They played a two-all draw against Sable before saffering a 3-1 humiliation against Bullets.

Silver remain fifth with 17 points from 12 games. They have TN Stars, Mighty Tigers and Mafco before winding up the first round as they are pushing for a top 8 finish.

The visitors, remain 9th with 14 points from 13 games and they have Red Lions and Rumphi United before wrapping up the first round as they hoping to storm into the top.

In Rumphi, Ekwendeni Hammers and Red Lions shared a spoil after the hame ended 0-0.

Ekwendeni Hammers are on 13th with 12 points from 12 games while Red Lions are on 11th with 13 points from 12 games.