Silver Strikers’ impressive start to the 2024 TNM Super League season came to a halt Sunday after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Dedza Dynamos at a jam-parked Dedza Stadium.
But defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets picked their first win of the season after beating Chitipa United 3-0 at Karonga Stadium on the same day.
This means Silver have failed to dislodge Mighty Mukuru Wanderers from the summit of the log table as they trail the Lali Lubani outfit on goal difference, having collected seven points each.
Wanderers have a better g o a l – difference of six against Silver’s four .
Before Sunday’ match, the Central Bankers had been enjoying a rich vein of form, winning two opening matches of the season against Chitipa (2- 0) and Bangwe All Stars (3-1).
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However, they were hoping to continue their impressive start against Dedza but they were made to sweat for the draw after Dynamos opened the scoring in the 39th minute through Victor Lungu’s header.
It was a deserved lead for the hosts, having fluffed several chances in the first half.
But substitute Charles Chipala came to haunt his former club when he scored in the 75th minute, beating goalkeeper Anthony Singini to secure a vital point for the Central Bankers.
Promise Kamwendo was voted player of the match.
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In a post-match reaction, Dynamos Coach Andrew Bunya said the draw was painful for his side.
“This is not the result we wanted. We contained them for the better part of the match but we lost concentration a bit and got punished,” Bunya said.
Silver Coach Peter Mponda said a point was better than a loss.
“We are happy to get one point from the game. It was a tough match but the players showed great character,” Mponda said.
Elsewhere, Babatunde Adepoju, Ephraim Kondowe and Patrick Mwaungulu were on target for Bullets against Chitipa as Bullets collected their first three points from three matches.
Bullets have five points and have moved to position six on the log table, two points behind Wanderers.
Despite the win, Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa was not pleased with the condition of the pitch.
“The first goal unsettled them and thereafter we controlled the game,” the Zimbabwe mentor said.
Chitipa Coach Elvis Kafoteka said the loss was painful.
“It is unfortunate that we lost with a huge margin. We started well but we gave them too much respect in the second half,” he said.
In another match, Bangwe All Stars and Karonga United shared the spoils following a 1-1 stalemate at Mpira Stadium.
Aubrey Maloya scored for Bangwe in the first half but Saulos Moyo equalised in the second half to secure a point for the visitors.
Mighty Tigers registered their first win of the season after beating Mzuzu City Hammers, formerly Ekwendeni Hammers, at Kamuzu Stadium.
Bright Mtondagowa scored for Tigers.
