Kalima’s late strike snaps point for Silver at Blue Eagles

Zebron Kalima emerged from the bench to snatch a crucial late point for Silver Strikers, as they battled to a 1-1 draw against Blue Eagles at Nankhaka Stadium. The Bankers found themselves trailing for much of the second half after a brilliant rocket from Laurent Banda put Blue Eagles ahead.

Silver Strikers’ head coach Peter Mgangira admitted the team’s performance was far from convincing but expressed satisfaction with the hard-earned point. “We haven’t played well as a team, and individually, the players didn’t come to the party,” Mgangira stated.

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“Despite that performance, getting a point away from home, we are happy. Blue Eagles are a very good team. We can’t use injuries as an excuse; we signed 30 players, and everyone has to show they are part of the team. Eagles also wanted three points; our aim was to win, but we are happy with a point.”

On the other side, Blue Eagles head coach Declerk Msakakuona lamented his team’s late lapse in concentration.

“It was a tough game, and we can’t blame anyone for this result. We lost concentration towards the end of the game. We wanted to win this game,” Msakakuona explained.

“This is the second time Silver has leveled late against us; we need to learn how to finish games. We have seen massive improvement in recent games. It’s very painful, but the boys put up a good fight.”

The Bankers, coming into the match on the back of three wins in their last four games, including a 2-0 victory over rivals Civil Service United, were keen to secure maximum points. Blue Eagles, meanwhile, were looking to build on a recent goalless draw against Ekhaya.

Silver had a promising start, earning two corner kicks within the first eight minutes, but Blue Eagles’ defense stood firm. The home side soon responded, forcing George Chikooka into a save from a corner in the 12th minute.

Silver’s Binwell Katinji whistled an effort wide after being set up by Dan Sandukira, before Chimwemwe Idana forced a good save from Joshua Waka.

Towards the end of the first half, James Stambuli linked up well with Gilbert Chirwa, whose powerful shot was thwarted by Chikooka, who then made another fantastic save from Stambuli in stoppage time, ensuring a goalless first half.

The second half began with Silver on the front foot again, Levison Maganizo teeing up Nixon Mwase, whose header went wide. Eagles responded with John Banda forcing another save from Chikooka.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 57th minute when Laurent Banda unleashed a brilliant rocket from the edge of the box, beating George Chikooka to put Blue Eagles in front.

Peter Mgangira immediately responded with a double substitution, bringing on Stain Dave and Zebron Kalima for Levison Maganizo and Festus Duwe. Msakakuona countered by introducing Micium Mhone for Levison Mnyenyembe.

The game became a tight contest in its latter stages, with Silver pushing hard for an equalizer and Eagles determined to either extend their lead or hold on for the win. Chinsisi Maonga tried a thunderbolt effort, only to be denied by the Eagles keeper.

As the referee added seven minutes of stoppage time, Silver Strikers’ hopes of snatching a point remained alive. Having previously conceded late against Mighty Wanderers FC only to pull level, they demonstrated their resilience once again. Zebron Kalima clinically finished off a well-placed pass from Chimwemwe Idana, securing a valuable late point for Silver Strikers.