Exciting stalemate as Silver hold Bullets
TNM Super League defending champions FCB Nyasa Bullets and Silver Strikers turned back the hands of time when they played out to a 1-1 draw in an exciting match at Bingu National Stadium yesterday.
The huge crowd that turned up at the facility was left satisfied with the quality of football from both sides.
This will go into the history book as one of the best games in TNM Super League this season as the two teams lived up to their expectations displaying good football the entire match.
The 1-1 draw was a fair result as the teams matched each other in terms of quality.
It was a match of high intensity but the two teams only lacked killer punch.
However, Silver had the lion’s share of possession and bossed the midfield with Chimwemwe Idana, Chikondi Kamanga and Maxwell Paipi on top of their game.
Lanjesi Nkhoma broke the deadlock in the 39th minute as he tapped in a cross from Alick Lungu.
After the break, Silver made a double substitution when they introduced Gift Chunga and Stain Davie for Atusaye Nyondo and Zebron Kalima.
The substitution brought life into Silver attack and they deservedly equalised moments later.
Nixon Mwase netted the equaliser from a Mark Fodya’s corner kick as Bullets defence was caught napping.
After the goal, Silver continued to pile pressure on the visitors.
Sensing danger, Bullets made triple substitution bringing in Stanley Billiati, Chawanagwa Gumbo and Chinedu Okafor for Mike Mkwate, Patrick Mwaungulu and Maxwell Gasten Phodo.
Billiati’s attempt hit the frame of the goal post towards the end of the match as the two shared spoils in an exciting match.
In a post-match interview, Silver Coach Pieter de Jongh said it was a good start for his troops.
“We played better football than our opponents. We will play to win silverware this season,’’ de Jongh said after his first official match in domestic football.
His counterpart, Kalisto Pasuwa said the draw was a fair result.
“This was one of the best games we played. We played with intensity and our opponents also played well. But we have a problem defending the set pieces,” Pasuwa said.
Before the match there were several activities marking the launch of the 2023 season. In other matches on the opening day, Mighty Tigers started the season on a high following a 1-0 victory over rookies Extreme FC at Mpira Stadium in Blantyre. George Chiomba scored the only goal of the match.
At Chitowe Ground, Mafco collected maximum points after beating Chitipa United 2-1 with goals from Walusungu Mpata and Bernard Chimaimba whereas Stimela Muyira scored for Chitipa.
Elsewhere, Moyale Barracks and Karonga United shared the spoils after a 1-1 draw at Mzuzu Stadium. Raphael Phiri scored for the soldiers but Josiah Duwa equalised for Karonga. Action in the league will continued on Dunday as Mighty Mukuru Wanderers hosted Civil Service United at Kamuzu Stadium.
Blue Eagles will faced Red Lions at Nankhaka Ground whereas Ekwendeni Hammers host Kamuzu Barracks at Mzuzu Stadium. Dedza Dynamos Salima Sugar met Bangwe All Stars at Dedza Stadium.
