Bankers edge Saints 2-1: Malawi TNM Super League

Silver Strikers’ magic second round run continued on Sunday, September 20, 2015 when they edged Dedza Young Soccer 2-1 in a TNM Super League match played before a capacity crowd at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.

This was a third straight win for the bankers since the start of the league’s second round following their successful outing in Mzuzu, where they defeated Mzuni 2-0 before dismissing Moyale Barracks 1-0.

Against the rookies from Dedza, the Bankers found the target barely six minutes into the game when experienced striker Peter Wadabwa headed the ball home from a Blessings Tembo corner kick which was flicked towards goal by Green Harawa.

The Bankers suffered a major blow two minutes after taking the lead, when their last man Lucky Malata was stretchered off the field after picking an injury. He was replaced by youthful Mike Ntonya, who was also stretchered off the field midway into the second half after a head-on collision with Dedza’s Ferguson Mtondo that left both players with deep cuts.

Davie Moya, who has just returned to Silver after being loaned to Epac steeped in for the injured Ntonya.

Shortly after suffering the shock of losing a second defender, the Bankers went two-up, courtesy of the evergreen Harawa, who outpaced two Dedza central defenders before beating goalkeeper Precious Chiphaka from close range.

Impressive Amadu Makawa pulled one back for Dedza on the dot of full time with a 20 metre left foot drive. The hosts lived dangerously on the knife edge after Makawa’s strike but they were saved by the last whistle.

Coach Lovemore Fazili was delighted with the win but noted an element of complacency on the part of his charges.

“I am happy that we have collected three points but I have observed we became complacent after scoring the second goal allowing Dedza to pull one back. They (Dedza) could have equalised from a free kick in the dying moments but they messed up the opportunity,” said Fazili.

His counter-part Millias ‘Jegwe’ Pofera lamented some missed scoring opportunities by his side: “We had some scoring opportunities but we messed up the chances. Silver only had two chances and they utilised them,” said Pofera, whose side lay fourth from the bottom with 15 points from 16 games.

The bankers are third with 29 points from 17 games despite being level on points with Blue Eagles, who have a better goal-difference and a one-game cushion.

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