Idana strips off Eagles’ wings as Kyungu sons share spoils

By Antony Isaiah Jr:………

Chimwemwe Idana’s first-minute strike was enough to sink Cops boat as Silver Strikers beat Blue Eagles at the Nankhaka Stadium.

Fresh from a morale-boosting performance against the reigning champions, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets last time out, the Bankers knew that another masterclass performance was needed to pick off their season.

Prior to this meeting, Silver Strikers had only recorded two wins over the Area 30-based Cops in 14 games and with that in mind, the Dutchman, Pieter De Jongh made two changes from the team that played a 1-all stalemate against Bullets as Stain Davie and Patrick Macheso for Atusaye Nyondo and Zebron Kalima.

Having suffered two defeats in the previous two meetings, Silver Strikers probed more just after kick-off.

Mbeya City loanee, Chimwemwe Idana was up to the occasion just after a minute. Mark Fodya operating as a left full-back, whipped in a cross that found Flames Striker, Stain Davie whose looping header was palmed away by Brighton Munthali, Idana on rebound just tapped it in to give the Bankers an early lead.

In the middle of the first half, Alfred Chilinda sent off Schumacher Kuwali for Cops and Nickson Mwase for the Bank Manager after being involved in fighting.

Undeterred by the setback, Eagles responded in impressive fashion with a fine attack. They nearly grabbed an equaliser through Gilbert Chirwa who saw his ball being pluck by Charles Thom.

On the other end, Chimwemwe Idana rattled the post after Silver Strikers played a swift counter-attack

The game has produced 3 yellow cards including Peter De Jongh for disrespectful. He over held the ball before handing it over to his players for throw in.

In his search for an equaliser, Eliya Kananji made two changes after the recess as Trouble Banda and Lanken Mwale replaced Micium Mhone and Tonic Viyuyi but nothing paid off.

Gift Chunga was thrown in by Pieter De Jongh for Stain Davie but the scores remained the same.

During an interview, the winning side Coach, congratulated his players that they did well and the game was good.

“There was a great performance , Strong on the ball and it has responded very well, although there are some areas we need to work on. And there was a fair play from the officiation and the lines men , and we are happy that we have get all the required points”said Peter Jongh

On his side Eliya Kananji said the red card to Schumacher Kuwali changed their game plan and was not happy.

“Losing all the points is a painful thing and the red card to the Captain has brought in a negative impact and changed the game plan. But I ask my players to be patience during games. ” Said Kananji

But the deputy coach for the Eagles Christopher Siwale directly pointed at the referee that the officiation was not good.

“The referee couldn’t control the game because the same mistake to our friends was saying play on and this made players to be angry ” said Christopher Siwale

During the game Chikondi Kamanga from the Siliver Strikers was voted for as man of the match.

The Bankers have 4 points from two games while the Eagle have 1 point from two matches as well.