Happiness denied: Two Silver Bullets strike Nomads

A silver year for the Bankers? Peter Mponda looked into the air after Zebron Kalima rifled past Richard Chipuwa. Imperious Silver Strikers are now 6 points above the second-placed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets after claiming a big 2-0 win over Mighty Mukuru Wanderers.

A barren first half, two crackers in the second half. A premium fare it was. The Nomads suffered their first defeat of the season, Bankers keep on flying as they have collected 19 points from a possible 21.

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The Nomads have failed to get maximum points against Silver Strikers away from home for the third attempt consecutively as their last win was in 2021.

In front of a packed Silver Stadium, a gross of MK33 Million was realized, and the Nomads returned home with MK7 Million that they got as their 25% cut from net revenue. Silver pocketed MK7 Million and three points.

A premium fare reaches its billing

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers were hunting for the win to move closer to the Bankers as they started the game 4 points off the leaders, Nsazurwimo Ramadan called in Peter Cholopi for Lawrence Chaziya who was not in the match day squad. The former Mighty Waka Waka Tigers defender partnered with Ahamad Kung’unde.

Peter Mponda with a depleted squad, Binwell Katinji, Atusaye Nyondo, Duncan Nyoni, Stain Davie, Gift Chunga, and Chisomo Mpachika were not available, but he managed to grind results. Charles Chipala was called in to lead the attack.

An epic battle in midfield, Chikondi Kamanga, Uchizi Vunga, and Chimwemwe Idana were in sky blue, and Blessings Singini, and Felix Zulu all formed the line in the middle of the park.

The two heavyweights battled for pride and supremacy in the game, Mpinganjira spotted Blessings Singini but his attempt couldn’t send Wanderers’ fans into a wild celebration.

The Bankers were on cloud nine after Charles Chipala beat Richard Chipuwa with a brilliant finish as he was spotted by Tatenda M’balaka. However, their celebration was halted by Esther Zimba whose flag was up for offside. Chimwemwe Idana nearly grabbed a goal but he couldn’t direct his effort into the back of the net.

The pendulum swung to the other side and Kaliyati combined with Christopher Kumwembe whose effort flew over the bar. Despite two changes that Ramadan made at halftime to up his attacking line, the Bankers took the lead before Zebron Kalima sealed the win later.

Silver dreaming in 2024, Kalima, Kamanga did the damage on Wanderers

Peter Mponda said the results of the game will not have an effect on the title race, but the Bankers have taken an early lead on the race. The performance against Wanderers was commanding, they pray for consistency as they will travel to Blantyre to face Big Bullets after playing against Karonga United.

The turn out of matchgoers at Silver Stadium this season has drastically improved and there is a big connection between the players and the fans. Roared on by their home fans, the Bankers kept Wanderers under pressure.

After a barren first half, Mponda knows what he instilled in his house during the recess talk. Silver Strikers came with guns blazing and the visitors couldn’t absorb pressure for 60 minutes. Their own boy, Chikondi Kamanga unleashed a hammer shot to beat Chipuwa from the edge of the box as he shared a rare goal.

Charles Chipala was denied by Chipuwa after finding the shooting space before Kalima faced Wanderers’ wall which blocked his longing shot after receiving the ball from Chipala.

Mponda wanted to keep his slender lead intact, Mark Fodya was called in for Chinsisi Maonga but Kalima out of the blue hammered Chipuwa with a belter from outside the box. Silver Strikers are chasing for their first league championship since 2013.