Mwase’s header snaps a point for the Bankers as Bullets start the title defence with a draw

Mwase’s header snaps a point for the Bankers as Bullets start the title defence with a draw.

By Antony Isaiah Jr:…….

Nixon Mwase cancelled out Lanjesi Nkhoma’s first-half strike and Silver Strikers fought to an entertaining 1-1 stalemate, despite the visitors being ambitious with their pursuit of the title defence.

A commotion in the box when Substitute, Stanley Billiati was about to take Bullets’ corner in the second-half summed up the hype of the game and the ambition of the two sides.

The media team released a line up with 1hr 30 minutes before the kickoff, conveyed the message to the Super League teams about the changes at the Club made by the newly recruited coach, Pieter De Jongh.

Ironically, the released starting team was different from the team that actually started in the game. The earlier released line up had Chimwemwe Idana on the bench while Emmanuel Kaunga was in the starting Xi.

Silver Strikers’ growing dominance in possession in a premium fare was well-weathered by the visitors for most of the first period and the visitors would eventually get the lead with 6 minutes before half-time.

Having looked destined to fly top of the 16-member table in the first week, Silver Strikers are now entering the early furlong of the 2023 TNM Super League which is being marketed under the theme, “kuipatsa moto.”

Chikondi Kamanga deployed as a defending midfielder was always available to offer help to his defence, settling the tempo of the game from the heart of the pitch aided by former Bullets playmaker, Chimwemwe Idana.

Trying to be penetrative through their wings where Duncan Nyoni and Zebron Kalima were playing, Silver had their first corner-kick in the early stages of the game.

On the other end, Lanjesi Nkhoma with pace crested the first chance for Bullets but Mark Fosya who formed a good defensive partnership with newly signed Nigerian, Emmanuel Kaunga and Nixon Nyasulu was quick to clear the danger.

Composed, building from the back was the type of football that fans at Area 47 have been demanding from their team. Yes, the Bankers watched an entertaining game not from one side but from both teams.

However, the Bankers failed to break Cylide Senaji Navade’s led defence despite dominating the first-half.

The goalkeeper is the last man in the line of defence and Charles Thom was quick to hold Lanjesi Nkhoma until winning the throw-in after the defence failed to clear the long ball from Blessings Mpokera.

Talkative Pieter De Jongh went into the book of referee after arguing with the officiation as he put it during his pre-match press briefing.

The Bankers were a threat on set-pieces, no wonder they snatched an equaliser from a corner. Duncan Nyoni whipped in a free-kick that targeted Mwase and Nyasulu cleared it only on to the feet of Zebron Kalima whose drilled shot was broken for a corner.

Feeling aggrieved, De Jongh continued to voice his dismay towards Referee Alfred Kamphamtengo after Cylide Senaji Navade seemed to have the ball deflected off his hand when Silver Strikers tried to take a rebound.

Man-marking from Nixon Mwase and Emmanuel Kaunga kept Maxwell Phodo silent in the game and he was hooked off in the second-half.

Alick Lungu one of the promising talents burst forward playing a cut-back that Silver Strikers’ defence failed to deal and Nkhoma who also scored an equalising goal against the same opponents in 2020 Airtel Top-8 Cup final at Kamuzu Stadium just tapped it in and send the red side of the Bingu National Stadium into wild celebrities.

The hosts themselves had a whole interval to reflect on that, and use their frustration to emerge with renewed purpose.

Changes at half-time brought Silver Strikers back to life. Gift Chunga from Ekwendeni Hammers replaced Atusaye Nyondo and Silver really were a threat forcing Richard Chimbamba to make quick double saves within the first two minutes from the recess.

Chunga rifled a heavy shot, thanks to Chimbamba’s magic touch that kept the ball out of the net and the resulting corner was the answer that De Jongh’s men were in need of.

Mark fodya, a young brother to Yamikani Fodya swung in a brilliant delivery and Nixon Mwase rouse higher up to connect it home as Bullets’ defence was caught napping.

Even as the latter stages unfolded, the game was yet to be predicted on whom to snatch the maximum points.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets thought that they had snatched their first win over Silver Strikers at Bingu National Stadium when Lanjesi Nkhoma’s classic ambitious shot rattled the posts after good exchanges of passes among Billiati, Chawanangwa Gumbo, Philip Okafor.

The people’s team have started the title defence with a draw away from home and Silver Strikers might be happy with the point after enduring difficult spell last year.