Moyale Barracks were beaten 4-1 by Silver Strikers on Wednesday afternoon, with goals from Innocent Shema, Patrick Macheso and Chisinsi Maonga’s brace ensuring the Bankers left Bingu National Stadium with all three points.
Gastin Simkonda’s early strike proved to be merely a consolation as the Soldiers of Kaning’ina run without a victory extended to four matches and they have just won once in their last six matches.
Moyale Barracks were toothless in attack and stretched defensively as the hosts attacking caused havoc all afternoon.
Prior to kick-off, there was one minute of silence in solidarity for former Silver Strikers forward Thuso Paipi, who sadly passed away on Friday morning.
Following a goalless draw with Extreme FC in their last game, Silver Strikers coach Pieter De Jongh opted to make few changes as Duncan Nyoni and Patrick Macheso returned into the first eleven.
The first chance of the game fell to the Kaning’ina Soldiers, with Mphatso Katsonga missing in a one on one situation with Silver goalie Pililani Mapila after cutting a back pass from Tatenda M’balaka to Nickson Mwase.
One minute later Moyale took the lead courtesy of Simkonda. Brown Magaga made a terrific run down the left before sweeping pass inside which Mwase blocked to the direction of Simkonda who made a simple tap in.
Moyale continue to put pressure on their opponents, dispossessing them at regular intervals. Bankers first sight of goal fell on 31st minute when Duncan Nyoni was brought down in the box by Maneno Nyoni to concede penalty which Shema converted.
Silver Strikers were two up on 40th minute through Macheso who received a good pass from Tatenda M’balaka.
Maonga sent the game far from visitors reach, one minute into added time when he finished off a Duncan Nyoni’s low cross from the left side.
The second half started on a low note with Moyale Barracks improving on closing down all spaces for the Bankers but both sides failed to create scoring chances.
However, when people thought it would end like that, Maonga had other ideas as he pounced the ball from a range to beat Moyale Barracks keeper Macdonald Harawa and that was the last goal of the games.
With the victory Silver Strikers moved on 36 points but they remain fourth after playing 20 games while Moyale Barracks also maintains 14th position with 23 points from 21 games.
“We started slowly and we conceded a goal but after that we created some chances and got a penalty which we scored and two more goals followed and in the second half we added one goal so yeah it’s an important win and we will try to win next games to keep pace with other teams on top” said Silver Strikers coach Pieter De Jongh
His opponent Nicholas Mhango pointed officiation as reason for the defeat.
“It was poor officiation, they were awarded fake penalty and second goal couldn’t have stood but any way this game is over we will go back to prepare for next fixtures and I hope we will do better and climb out of relegation zone” said Mhango
At Kamuzu Stadium, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers missed chance to move at the TNM Super League log table after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Kamuzu Barracks.
Top two teams Chitipa United and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets were skipped from the midweek fixtures but Mark Harrison’s Nomads failed to take advantage, leaving Wanderers 3 points behind Chitipa United.
The Chiwoko Soldiers were 1-0 up at halftime thanks to Olson Kanjira’s early strike but the hosts equalized midway in the second half through Lawrence Chaziya to force a 1-1 draw.
The Nomads have 37 points from 20 games and are now tied with second placed FCB Nyasa Bullets who have played 18 games. KB are sixth with 29 points from 21 games.
At Rumphi Stadium, Samuel Adeyami’s goal was enough for Ekwendeni Hammers to beat Extreme FC 1-0.
The Hammers have moved from 11th to eighth as they reach 28 points mark after 21 games while Extreme FC remains at the bottom with 14 points from 22 games.
