Kaonga bags a brace as Silver topples Stars

Silver Strikers come from behind to humiliate TN Stars by four goals to one at Silver Stadium, Lilongwe in the 2022 Super League.

TN Stars were the first to score through Alexander Cosmas after Silvers’ defence got paralysed but Zebron Kalima cancels it just five minutes before halftime with a gorgeous strike from distance leaving Stars’ goal minder, Blackson Kotei no option.

In the second half, Silver Strikers won a penalty in the 52nd minute after midfielder, Mphatso Dzongolo handled the ball in the penalty area. Chawanangwa Kaonga took the responsibility to give the Central Bankers the lead.

Stain Davie silenced supporters from Kasungu just 4 minutes later as he extended Bankers’ lead with a towering header connecting Kalima’s deadly delivery from the left flank to make it 3-1.

Chawanangwa Completed his brace as TN Stars defenders and Goalkeeper lost concentration failing to clear the ball.

Silver Strikers had a number of chances through Gasten Phodo, Kaonga, and Davie.

Chikondi Kamanga, Zebron Kalima, Tatenda M’balaka were the stars for the Central Bankers while Mphatso Dzongololo, Philip Banda, and Alexander Cosmas were too hot to touch.

Taonga Chimodzi, Chisomo Mpachika, Chinsisi Maonga were given a few minutes to run as they were introduced in the 84th minute replacing Mike Robert, Chikondi Kamanga and Stain Davie for Silver.

TN Stars tried making some changes by bringing in Sammy Phiri, Shukulani Afiki, Alfred Chizinga, for Fabio Kapinde, Philip Banda and Frank Chizuze to force a comeback but it proved futile.

In the post-match interviews, Silver Strikers interim coach, MacDonald Yobe praised his charges for the spirited performance.

Yobe said, “It was a good game though we started on a slow note. But we upped our tempo after 30 minutes, thanks to the boys for putting extra gear in the second half. We showed some complacency in the early minute, but we are happy with the win.”

His counterpart, Kenny Mtuwa, team manager for TN Stars said the referee played a big role in their defeat.

He said, “It was a 50-50 state of affairs. The referee played a big role in our defeat. He gave Silver a dubious penalty I may say and that goal took my boys out of the game. We will go back and rectify where possible for us to do well in our next game.”

Silver Strikers have managed to record two wins in a row, they beat Mighty Tigers last weekend and they have curtailed their gap with Mighty Wanderers to just two points. They have amassed 23 points from 14 games and they will wrap up their first round with an away game against Mafco in Dwangwa.

Silver remains fourth on the table while Nomads occupy the third spot.

TN Stars will still wait for another year to collect at least a point at Silver stadium should they survive relegation this season. Since their promotion to the elite league in 2018, they have never collected a point at the Silver Stadium.

TN are winless in their last 4 games since a one-nill victory against Rumphi United on May 15, 2022.

They are slammed at the bottom of the table with 9 points from 14 games. They will wind up their first round with a home game against Blue Eagles who are winless in their last 5 games.

Following his brace today, Taonga Chimodzi has taken his tally to 5 this season while Stain Davie has 7. Babatunde Adepoju of Nyasa Big Bullets is the leading goal scorer.

Actions return on Friday as Bullets will taking on Sable Farming at Kamuzu Stadium.