Kaduya hot as Silver retain top spot

Adiel Kaduya: Picture by Silver Strikers

By Hastings Kasonga

Adiel Kaduya produced another man-of-the-match performance with a goal and an assist as Silver Strikers beat Bangwe All Stars 3-1 in the TNM Super League to move top of the table at the Silver Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

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The Bankers failed to get a goal in the first half despite having Kaduya going close four times, but he alongside Binwell Katinji and debutant Charles Chipala got the goals for the Bankers. Patrick Phiri scored a consolation goal for the visiting team in added time.

Silver Strikers head coach, Peter Mponda, said it is too early to celebrate their impressive start to the season and said he was disappointed with the goal they conceded in the match.

“I am very satisfied with the result today and also disappointed with the goal we conceded. I think we lost concentration as it was clearly seen that we would concede before we stopped what we were doing. All in all, we are happy to win,” said Mponda.

Meanwhile, Christopher Nyambose, head coach for Bangwe All Stars, said he hopes to do better in the next game as the first games are always tough for teams that are in formulation stages like theirs.

“A bad day in the office again today. We lost in Mulanje and we have lost again today, but I think we will do better in our next game. You know first games are always difficult. We have learned our problems and we will solve them when we return,” said Nyambose.

The two sides started on a high note with brilliant passes and pressing in the first 10 minutes before the Bankers had started controlling the game with Adiel Kaduya missing his chance after Binwell Katinji made a beautiful pass to him in the box. Kaduya nearly got an opener after his free kick rattled off the crossbar on the 25th minute, then missed two consecutive chances, and it was a 0-0 affair by the end of the first half.

Gift Chunga paved the way for Zebron Kalima, who saw his shot saved by Elias Missi on the 48th minute before Kaduya hit the post yet again, only for Katinji to finish on a rebound for a lead on the 52nd minute. Ackim Osman replaced Sheriff Shamama for Bangwe, and a good play from Kalima and Katinji helped Kaduya to double the scores on the 63rd minute. Mponda handed Charles Chipala his debut on the 75th minute, replacing Kaduya, as Ghedo Lorenzo was introduced for Kondwani Chilembwe for Bangwe All Stars.

Chipala scored his first goal of the season with a fine goal after Macdonald Lameck found him on the 81st minute, then Paul Kamsungwi and Patrick Macheso were introduced for Uchizi Vunga and Binwell Katinji, while Sheriff Shamama was sent in for James Tambwali. Patrick Phiri scored a consolation goal in the 93rd minute, and the match ended 3-1 in favor of the hosts.

The Bankers are on top of the league with 6 points from two games and have a better goal difference, while Bangwe All Stars are stuck in the relegation zone with no points from two games as well.