Silver Strikers Football Club solidified their position at the summit of the Tnm Super League table with a commanding 0-2 victory away to Baka City at Karonga Stadium.
The Central Bankers seized control in additional minutes of the first half when Baka’s Chimwemwe Kalyala inadvertently scored an own goal from Silver’s Chinsinsi Maonga’s rebound which primarily hit the woodwork.
Binwell Katinji secured the win with a goal at the 88th minute, assisted by Adiel Kaduya.
At the end of regulation time, Silver Strikers’ captain Chikondi Kamanga was given a man of the match accolade.
Despite the triumph, Silver Strikers’ Head Coach Peter Mponda expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s performance, citing lapses in concentration and defensive errors.
“The guys fought very hard, but we didn’t play the way wanted. It’s not that we were under pressure, but we were making a lot of mistakes. It wasn’t a good performance. When we were 1-0, we lost concentration, we were too relaxed. We let Baka to be on the ball, we left too many spaces to them. That made them to back into the game, but our defence was solid,” said Mponda.
Meanwhile, Baka City’s Team Manager Alick Zingu criticized the officiating, attributing their loss to poor decisions by the referees.
“It happens in football. We have lost the game, but in my life I have never commented about officiation. But today’s kind of officiation leaves a lot to be desired. Sometimes they officiate the game to frustrate other teams. So, the way I have this game, a lot of things need to be done to improve the officiation. We controlled the game, but our boys were frustrated by referee’s decisions, that is why we have conceded the two silly goals,” bemoaned Zingu.
The Team Manager further said the team will go back to drawing table so prepare for upcoming games in the league.
With the win, Silver Strikers top the 16 team table with 13 points from five games, having won 4 games, drawing one game and yet to lose, while the rookies anchor the table with one point from 5 games having lost four, drawn one and yet to test victory.
In other matches of Gameweek 5, Mzuzu City Hammers drew 1-1 with Moyale Barracks in the Mzuzu Derby, and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets shared a 1-1 draw with Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the Blantyre Derby.
