Bankers Rally Late to Savage a Point against Moyale

Silver Strikers climbed to third in the TNM Super League after coming from behind to salvage a crucial point in a 1-1 draw against Moyale Barracks at Rumphi Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Raphael Phiri put Moyale in front in the first half as the Bankers struggled to find their rhythm, but second-half dominance saw Zebron Kalima net the equaliser to ensure a share of the spoils.

The hosts started brightly, with Charles Nkhoma firing wide in the 3rd minute before forcing a fine save from George Chikooka five minutes later with a powerful header. Moyale suffered an early setback when Olyce Nkhwazi was forced off through injury and replaced by Jeremiah Simfukwe in the 23rd minute.

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Silver found it hard to create clear-cut chances in the first half, prompting coach Peter Mgangira to introduce Emmanuel Allan for Binwell Katinji on the half-hour mark. But just a minute later, Phiri rose highest to head in Boniface Chuma’s corner and hand Moyale the lead. Stain Davie had a golden chance to level in added time but skied his effort over the bar.

The Bankers rang more changes as Charles Chipala came in for Allan at the restart. Phiri nearly doubled Moyale’s lead, hitting the side netting as the Lions looked to kill off the game.

But Silver started to dominate, with Uchizi Vunga and Chinsisi Maonga going close before the hour mark. Lassuli Jali and Dan Sandukira came on for Innocent Shema and Maonga in the 66th minute, adding more energy to Silver’s attack.

The breakthrough finally came when a long throw-in landed in Moyale’s box and Zebron Kalima made no mistake, levelling matters to silence the home crowd. Moyale almost regained the lead in the 90th minute, but Nkhoma’s header was cleared off the line.

Silver Strikers head coach Peter Mgangira lamented some officiating decisions and credited Moyale for putting up a fight at home.

“It was a 50-50 game that either side could have won. It wasn’t the most entertaining, and some decisions by the referee were questionable. Moyale were also desperate, coming from a bad run, and pushed hard for a result,” said Mgangira.

His counterpart, Moyale coach Prichard Mwansa, admitted they were targeting a win but accepted the result.

“It was a tough match. We needed the three points after three straight losses, but credit to the boys for fighting hard. A draw isn’t a bad result,” Mwansa said.

The draw sees Silver Strikers move up to third with 20 points from five wins, five draws, and just one loss, while Moyale sit 11th with 14 points from three wins, five draws, and three defeats.

(Featured image courtesy of Silver Strikers Media)