Silver beat KB to go top as Wanderers bag maximum points in Karonga

Stain Davie scored the only goal that powered Silver Strikers to the top of the table after beating Kamuzu Barracks on Sunday afternoon.

The Central Bankers have dislodged FCB Nyasa Big Bullets from the summit of the table as they are now topping the table with 18 points to remain the only team that is still keeping the unbeaten record.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets who suffered a shock defeat to Chitipa United on Saturday are second with 17 points, level with Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who beat Karonga United 2-1 in Karonga.

De Jongh’s tactics expose aged KB

Remaining unbeaten is not by fluke, but arguable, Pieter De Jongh is a tactical master who managed to expose aged Kamuzu Barracks.

In a game that was full of exchanges of mouths on the bench as the officiation was somehow questionable, Silver Strikers could top the proceedings from the onset.

Patrick Macheso come near to score an early goal after unleashing a thunderbolt outside the penalty area only Hastings Banda to sumptuously tipping it over the bar for a corner to Silver Strikers.

Surprisingly, maybe tactically, The Dutchman named Maxwell Paipi in the starting team and he handed him a different role as he was playing as a defending midfielder bit naturally, he is a defender.

Systematically, Silver Strikers could show that they were going for a 4-3-3 formation but practically the Bankers were playing a 4-1-2-1 with Paipi playing a stand-alone holder with Chimwemwe Idana, Patrick Macheso, Chinsisi Maonga and Duncan Nyoni who was the captain of the day playing ahead of the DM while Stain Davie was leading the attack.

With Idana having a freedom, he was the engineer of the attacks, yes, his brilliance was awarded with man of the match accolade after the game.

The Bankers had two corners within the first 5 minutes only Helbert Wayekha’s led defence to stand firm and avoid conceding early in the game.

On the other hand, KB’s starting Xi had three former Silver Strikers’ players in the name of Allien Wayekha, Sam Gunda, Mike Ntonya, the players who were deemed to the surplus to the requirement at Silver and their average age could be over 30 years.

Aged Nelson Kangunje was handed the role of playing in the hole, just behind Kelvin Hanganda but the former Civil Service United, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets midfielder offered less.

In fact, no player from KB’s starting team could make a way into the starting Xi for Silver Strikers.

Composed on the ball, building from the back, Chinsisi Maonga whistled wide after being feed by Idana.

The knock for the goal was over as Stain Davie proved to be one of most consistent Strikers for the past three years. He had his seventh goal of the season.

Despite the goal, Davie was always a trouble for KB as his movements were just good to watch. A deadly combination with Idana kept Wayekha, Zaulombo, Ntonyo and Mughala without a rest.

Idana stretched himself to the right side and received a pass from Innocent Shema, he burst forward, playing one two touches with Davie before releasing a shot that was saved by Banda but on rebound, Davie just tapped it in.

It was a wake up call for KB and they had to organise themselves and come into the game but the striking force caused little threat to Emmanuel Kaunga, Nixon Mwase, Tatenda M’balaka and Shema.

The hosts nearly equalised as the Bankers’ defence was caught napping. Alexander Cosmas floated the ball inside the penalty area but Zaulombo while unmarked, he placed his left-footed touch over the bar. On the other end Idana invited Hastings Banda to make a brilliant save as his effort was tipped over just before the break.

New blood fail to save KB as the damage was already done

In the second-half, KB had to be an improved team as the coach pulled Redson Nkhoma and Nelson Kangunje for Samson Chiponda and Martias Nyirenda.

Alexander Cosmas was also hooked off for Olson Kanjira. The coming of Nyirenda eased the burden on Hanganda who was lacking support.

Ntonyo delivered a cross which found Nyirenda but his looping header was easily plunged by Charles Thom.

A pressure KB piled on Silver Strikers but with aerial balls, it was hard to beat Nixon Mwase and Emmanuel Kaunga who are all tall defenders.

Craving and longing for a goal, KB left the gaps in the defence, Silver launched a counter-attack through Idana who spotted Davie whose shot missed the upright with just an inch.

Silver Strikers hanged on to their slender lead until 90 minutes to bag three points that will keep them on top for a minimum of 6 days while KB are 13th with 8 points after 8 games.

Elsewhere, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers returned to the winning ways after beating Karonga United at Karonga Stadium.

Lawrence Chaziya scored a controversial goal after pouncing on Stanley Sanudi’s free-kick but Alfred Chizinga cancelled it just 8 minutes into the second-half .

Isaac Kaliati made sure that the Nomads should return home with three points as he scored the winner from direct free-kick.

In Blantyre, Mphatso Magaleta scored the only goal that helped Ekwendeni Hammers to scoop all the points against Mighty Waka Waka Tigers.

Hammers are now 5th with 12 points from 8 games while Tigers are now in relegation zone with 8 points from 8 games.

In Dedza, Dedza Dynamos returned to the winning ways after a month as they come from behind to beat Civil Service United 2-1 at Dedza Stadium.

Muhhamad Biason put the visitors in front in the first half but Edward Dakalira cancelled it 4 minutes into the second-half before Clement Nyondo pillaged the winner.