Chipala strikes late as Silver beat Tigers to march to FDH Bank Cup R16

Silver Strikers marched into the round of 16 of the FDH Bank Cup after edging Mighty WakaWaka Tigers 1-0 in a tense clash at Kamuzu Stadium.

The first half produced a goalless stalemate, but it was not without its moments. Silver nearly stunned the hosts in the 22nd minute when Zebron Kalima hit the upright from just a meter out after a fine delivery from Emmanuel Allan.

Moments later, George Chikooka was called into action, producing a fine save to deny Tigers from close range.

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Silver made an early tactical change, bringing in Charles Chipala for Emmanuel Kaunga, and while they pressed through shots from Allan and Chinsisi Maonga, they could not unlock Tigers’ defense.

The half closed with the game finely poised at 0-0.

The second half burst into life with both sides trading blows. Emmanuel Allan went close with a free kick while Joseph Balakasi tested Chikooka from distance.

Tigers kept asking questions, but Silver stayed resolute and waited patiently for their chance.

That moment arrived in the 78th minute. McDonald Lameck broke free on the counter, sliced through the right flank, and laid a perfect pass for Chipala, who made no mistake, calmly slotting past Sunganani Mponda to put Silver ahead.

Tigers threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. Substitute Innocent Shema was forced into a crucial clearance off the line, while Captain Kelvin Banda’s fierce free kick in stoppage time was spectacularly saved by Chikooka.

After seven minutes of added time and Tigers’ late push, the referee’s whistle confirmed Silver’s narrow but decisive 1-0 victory.

Tigers head coach Leo Mpulula complained about his team’s failure to score despite creating several chances.

“We accept the defeat. We made a mistake and conceded. The problem is that we are failing to convert our chances. Everyone is able to see we are playing good football. We also know that we are playing well but we just can’t score.

“We are out of the cup. We will go to the drawing board and search for answers to our problem,” he explained.

In the sky blue camp, coach Peter Mgangira was satisfied with the victory but pledged to work on creativity in the finishing third.

“We will work on being creative in the final third as we will be preparing for our next opponent. We were not creative today,” he said.

Mgangira also explained that his early substitution was just to see which combinations and formation can work: “credit should go to the boys. They did not give up, they worked towards the victory despite the fact that things seemed very difficult. I am happy for the win.”

The Central Bankers will face the winner between Jenda United and FC Shire in the round of 16.