Silver Strikers moved into third place in TNM Super League with a 1-0 victory over Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, as Chitipa United failed to overcome Blue Eagles.
Chimwemwe Idana’s 83th minute strike at Bingu National Stadium put the Bankers within four points of the Nomads.
Pieter De Jongh’s side took advantage of Chitipa United failure to beat Blue Eagles to leapfrog Macdonald Mtetemela’s team and revive their hopes of clinching the title since 2014.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have 47 points from 25 games and Silver Strikers 43 from 24 as they remain with five and six games respectively but their biggest threat is third placed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets who have 44 points from 21 games.
And it was a balanced first half of few chances which only produced one shot on target at 37 minutes from either side when Chimwemwe Idana combined well with Patrick Macheso after before releasing a shot straight to goalkeeper William Thole.
Idana’s chance came four minutes after Wanderers had first attempt by Lawrence Chaziya who directed his close range header over the bar.
The Bankers who struggled to keep possession in the first half established control of the game after the recess when De Jongh brought in Atusaye Nyondo for George Chaomba.
Silver Strikers grew into game and continued to pile pressure on Wanderers and they came close from taking the lead on 52nd minutes when Innocent Shema fired from range but Thole was equal to task with a save.
Seven minutes later, the Nomads created their first big chance when Wisdom Mpinganjira run down the left before sending a teasing cross to unmarked Christopher Kumwembe at the goal mouth whose connection missed the target.
Idana who became more lethal in the second half had another goal attempt after 63 minutes but Thole denied him yet again with a block using his feet.
Despite Mighty Mukuru Wanderers breaking Silver Strikers defense occasionally through counterattacks but they continued suffering in the final third, failing to register any shot on target.
Idana scored the decisive goal on 83rd minute when he received the ball from Nyondo before pouncing on a powerful shot into the net.
“we played well, we had one big chance in the first half, second half we created a number of chances and we scored”
“We want to win every game and it’s not easy, in a game of football you can win, you can draw and you can lose, today we won and it’s important because the league is open” said De Jongh
His counterpart, Mark Harrison blamed his defense for the loss.
“It was a good game but five minutes to go gave away a silly goal same as last week, we had our chances through Vincent and Lawrence, but I think nil nil could have been a fare result”
“It’s becoming tight now we needed to win today but we have failed and our chances of winning the title will be relying on Bullets to drop more points” said Harrison
Elsewhere, Chitipa United failed to move second after giving away a 2-1 lead to draw against Blue Eagles at Karonga Stadium.
Kingsley Kuwali gave Blue Eagles the lead just after three minutes but Chitipa United cancelled out by equalizing through Jacob Robert’s own goal at 36 minutes.
The hosts were in front four minutes later courtesy of Jackson Beza’s strike but they blew away the lead late in the game when Hendrix Misinde snatched 87th minute equalizer.
Chitipa United who are tied with Silver Strikers on 43 points have dropped to fourth due to their inferior goal difference while Blue Eagles have dislodged Moyale Barracks on 11th after catching them on 31 points but thanks to Eagles superior goal difference that lifted them up.
In another encounter, Civil Service United failed to move closer to safer zone after playing out a goaless draw with Red Lions at Civil Stadium.
Both sides have maintained their positions as the Servants have 26 points on 14th while Red Lions on 15th with 22 points.
