Chitipa hold Silver as Wanderers, Bullets settle for a draw

Coruscating Chitipa United have denied to go down to another heavyweight as they collected a point over table-toppers, Silver Strikers after a goalless stalemate at Civo Stadium.

George Chikooka produced shining performance as the title race have been kept open following the goalless draw between Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.

Silver Strikers’ unbeaten streak continues but they have failed to open an eight-point gap over Bullets and Chitipa have now collected seven points from three games against Wanderers, Bullets and Silver Strikers.

In an end-to-end match, De Jongh’s side were off to a flying start as Mark Fodya blazed his effort over from the free-kick before the visitors curved Silver’s defence to win the corner that was well delt with by Nixon Mwase-led defence.

Rajab Nyirenda put off Silver stroke as he rattled the post just five minutes into the game. Chris Liwemba tried to curl a free-kick that was headed away by Silver Strikers but the ball landed on to the feet of Nyirenda whose one time shot clang the cross-bar.

George Chikooka was called into actions as he walked into the air to parry Mark Fodya’s corner but Patrick Macheso who bagged a match ball last week against Dedza Dynamos connected the ball wide.

In a swift attack, Silver Strikers tried to catch the visitors in counter-attack. Chimwemwe Idana win the ball deep inside his own half before bursting forward to release his striker, Stain Davie whose shot was easily ceased fire by Chikooka.

After the recess, Silver Strikers started the Second-half in top notch and they have two corners within the first 3 minutes from the restart as Chris Liwemba forward formed Jericho Wall.

Atusaye Nyondo who replaced Stain Davie saw his hammer shot being ceased fire by George Chikooka before Silver Strikers misused another set-piece chance.

Following the draw, Silver Strikers will remain in top with 25 points from 11 games while Chitipa United have 17 points from the same number of games.

Elsewhere, Red Lions come from behind to snatch a 2-1 win over Karonga United at Balaka stadium.

Karonga United were the first to find the back of the net through Allen Chihana 12 minutes into the Second-half but Red Lions equalised and snatched the win through Brown Gondwe who scored twice in a space of 13 minutes.

Red Lions are still in relegation zone with 11 points from 11 games while Karonga United are being plunged down to relegation zone, they have 11 points with on goal difference putting them out of the bottom three.

In Mzuzu, Gastin Simkonda and Prince Phiri scored a goal each as Moyale Barracks beat struggling Extreme FC to go fifth on the table.

The Lions of Kaning’ina now have 16 points from 11 games while Extreme FC are still anchoring the table.

In Blantyre, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have failed to utilize their dominance in the game to beat Bullets as the two heavyweights shared points after a goalless draw.

Bullets remain second with 22 points while Wanderers remain third with 9 points.