Peter Mponda said the performance of his boys was something to admire as Silver Strikers battled back to earn a point at Dedza Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Charles Chipala netted a vital goal to rescue a point for the Bankers against his former side, Dedza Dynamos, as the Bankers were held to a 1-all stalemate.
The hosts took a lead in the first half through Victor Lungu but failed to keep it as Peter Mponda turned on Chipala to unlock them and indeed managed to rescue them from a loss.
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The coach for the Bankers, Mponda, said he was satisfied with the point and praised Charles Chipala for doing what he was told before making his cameo.
“I’m very satisfied with the point I think we were not good in the first half we did not play very well and even the goal we conceded, we could have done better to defend but we made changes, I think I have to thank Chipala because he did what we told him. A point away is not bad.” Said Mponda.
Head coach for Dedza Dynamos, Andrew Bunya, said it was a heartbreaking result as they put all effort into snatching a win but they failed to contain the Bankers’ pressure.
“It is a bad result for us as we wanted to win but we let our friends equalize. We started well and indeed got a goal but in the second half, Silver dominated for 15 to 20 minutes of which we failed to control them and got a goal then we also attacked them and I thought we had a penalty but the referee saw it otherwise but it’s a painful one.” Said Bunya
The hosts started on a high note as they had two attempts through Promise Kamwendo in the first five minutes but George Chikooka saved them then it was tight with each of them attacking each other but it was Dedza getting a goal in the 39th minute after Victor Lungu headed in a Khumbo Banda’s cross.
Katinji and Idana combined well before setting Chipala whose unleashed shot beat the goalkeeper for an equalizer in the 75th minute then Kamsungwi was rested for Emmanuel Muyira 10 minutes later with Gift Magola also coming in for injured Edward Dakalira as the two teams settled for a draw.
This means that the Bankers have failed to retain their top spot after they fall short on goal difference with Mighty Mukuru Wanderers but both teams have 7 points from three games in the top two while the Dynamos are 14th with 2 points from three games.
Fortress Dedza Stadium, a misery for visiting teams
The Central Bankers were hoping to continue with their positive start to the season but resilient Dedza Dynamos did everything to stop them.
Two heavyweights, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers have now failed to get maximum points against Dedza at Dedza Stadium in two years with only Mighty Mukuru Wanderers remaining the team to amass all the points when they recorded a 3-0 win last season.
Bullets suffered a 1-0 defeat last season at the same venue and this season, they also stumbled, letting their 1-goal lead slipping off when Promise Kamwendo capitalized on Bullets’ defensive debacle to beat Innocent Nyasulu.
The Bankers found themselves behind in the first half courtesy of Victor Lungu’s header and they had to rely on Charles Chipala, former Dedza’s striker to rescue a point for them. Dedza managed to win 9 of their 15 home games last season.
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