Silver drop points again

By Antony Isaiah Jr…….

Silver Strikers FC settled for a point for the second game running as Mighty Waka Waka Tigers put gallant fight to hold the title-chasing side.

The Centra Bankers were coming from another draw in Dedza where they held to a barren tie by Dedza Dynamos.

Mighty Waka Waka Tigers shot-stopper, Innocent Nyasulu had to make two crucial saves towards the end of the game at Bingu National Stadium as Silver Strikers failed to level their collectings with leaders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.

Being one of the uncapped players who have been called to go for camping at Football Association of Malawi headquarters, Chiwembe in Blantyre, Nyasulu had to be at his level best to leave Tigers with only defeat in six games this season in the tnm Super League.

Straight from their barren stalemate against Dedza Dynamos last week, Pieter De Jongh who returned to the dugout after missing the previous game due to suspension made two changes as Nixon Mwase and Tatenda M’balaka were pulled out of the Starting Xi for Duncan Nyoni and Zebron Kalima.

Mighty Waka Waka Tigers were coming from a 1-all stalemate against Mafco and Christopher Nyambose made only one change as Precious Chipungu took the place of Peter Barry.

Aiming to reflect the Club’s true performance against big three Clubs, Mighty Waka Waka Tigers were off to a flying start with Masiya Manda registering first attempt within five minutes from kick-off.

Of the top three teams, only FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have beaten Mighty Waka Waka Tigers than any other side. The people’s team have 22 wins over the Kau-Kau Boys at their berth while Silver Strikers and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers both have 13 wins over the 1987 Super League Champions.

Tigers have more wins over Silver Strikers than any other side in Big five Super League teams. They have 11 victories in all competitions against the Bankers, 5 against Bullets and 7 against Wanderers.

The difference of two wins between them, showed the tight match it would be at Bingu National Stadium.

George Chaomba planted his header into the palms of Charles Thom who has been dropped from Flames Squad. Tigers had a break through their right flank where Iven Mwakapenda was operating from.

Tigers’ dominance in the game nearly paid off after 20 minutes. George Chaomba had the chance to shoot in the penalty area but he was brought down in the penalty area.

A section of fans thronged the stadium to throw their support behind Tigers. Roared on by a fervorous away support, Wellington Mkandawire sauntered to the same sound his dinked pass supplying Chinese who in the penalty area but Emmanuel Kaunga was quick to plant his foot to deny the striker from opening the scores deep inside the first-half.

Mighty Waka Waka Tigers Technical Director had approached the fourth official appealing for a penalty but Kondwani Kamwendo and Jimmu Phiri who were the centre referee and fourth official respectively turned to be deaf and blind.

De Jongh’s side threatened on occasion, but Tigers and Nyasulu were on top in what was an open game; that was evident when Idana charged down the right-hand side with what seemed like the freedom of the pitch, but he Nyasulu denied him.

For the second time this season, Silver Strikers went into the dressing room at 0-0, after Chimwemwe Idana’s first goal attempt with the left-foot flew over the crossbar and Stain Davie frunked to tap home Nyasulu’s fumbled ball.

In the second-half, Silver Strikers supporters were rocked to Chimwemwe Idana’s name several minutes as they savoured his tricky and interesting display.

Pieter De Jongh made two changes after the recess as Zebron Kalima and Mark Fodya were hooked off for Tatenda M’balaka and Chinsisi Maonga.

M’balaka a good player on the ball aided the Bankers with an attacking depth. Chimwemwe Idana rattled the post before putting his left-footed touch over the bar with 25 minutes to play.

Tatenda M’balaka spotted Stain Davie in the penalty area and the striker planted his header just wide with the goal gapping to the frustration of the Bankers who were eager to get maximum points and move joint top with Bullets and Wanderers who have 13 points each from six games.

Chimwemwe Idana engineered another attack and he spot his skipper, Chikondi Kamanga on the edge of the box and the Captain whistled his effort wide before Rodwell Robert failed to tap home Tatenda M’balaka’s excellent delivery.

Innocent Nyasulu was called into action in the last 10 minutes as Silver Strikers were forcing things to be done and amass the maximum points.

Tatenda M’balaka delivered another brilliant ball and Idana pounced on it to plant a looping header but Nyasulu was equally good to swart it before denying Rodwell Robert.

Silver Strikers have won only one game in their last six games against Tigers when Duncan Nyoni plundered the only goal in Blantyre in the first round last season.

Tigers beat Silver 2-0 in 2020 in a friendly game when Tony Chitsulo and Frank Chikufenji scored one each before playing a goalless draw in Super League in the same year.

Precious Chipungu lone strike handed Tigers a slender win in the second round of the 2020 TNM Super League and George Chaomba scored for Tigers last season in their 1-0 win.

Since 2013 the game between the two teams haven’t produced over two goals.

This is the fourth draw for Tigers this season and they have lost one game against Civil Service United. They are 9th with 7 points.