By Mabvuto Kambuwe & Isaac Salima:
TNM Super League leaders Silver Strikers showed grit and escaped from the jaws of defeat as they came from two goals down to hold Kamuzu Barracks to a 2-2 stalemate at Civo Stadium Sunday.
The draw means the Bankers are still the only undefeated side in the TNM Super League this season.
Silver have opened a nine-point gap at the summit of the 16-member log table as they have 30 points from 12 matches.
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Mighty Mukuru Wanderers are second with 21 points, despite the 2-1 defeat to Moyale Barracks at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday.
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KB are third behind Wanderers on goal difference.
The soldiers were on the verge of claiming their first win over Silver in five matches but squandered a two-goal lead.
Gregory Nachipo put the hosts ahead with a powerful shot that took a deflection off Silver captain Chikondi Kamanga in the 20th minute.
It was a well-worked goal as several KB players exchanged passes in the build-up.
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Striker Olson Kanjira danced on the edge of the box before his shot was blocked by Maxwell Paipi straight into the path of Nachipo.
Two minutes later, Hope Namadzunda doubled the lead with a close-range strike.
KB held on to the two-goal cushion into the break.
After the interval, Silver made a double substitution, introducing Stain Davie and Atusaye Nyondo for Mark Fodya and Duncan Nyoni.
Davie made an instant impact, pulling a goal back three minutes after the restart. The goal energised Silver as they searched for an equaliser.
However, Nachipo nearly extended KB’s lead but his effort went over the bar.
The Bankers needed a special moment to salvage a point against KB.
That moment came from talisman Chimwemwe Idana, who bundled the ball into the net from the edge of the box after being set up by Nyondo in the 73rd minute.
It was a thing of beauty.
After the match, KB Coach Charles Kamanga said his side lost concentration in the second half.
“It was a game of two halves as we dominated the first half. But my players were a bit relaxed and we gave Silver too much space, especially in the second half,” Kamanga said.
Relief was a prevalent emotion for Silver Coach Peter Mponda, who said a draw was a fair result for his side.
“I commend the players for showing character. We nearly lost the match but the players refused to accept defeat,” Mponda said.
At Kamuzu Stadium, Bullets’ poor run in the TNM Super League continued Sunday as they played out a 1-1 draw with Civil Service United.
The visitors scored through Blessings Malinda before substitute Ernest Petro equalised.
The People’s Team went into the game seeking their fourth win in 11 league appearances but instead settled for their eighth draw.
However, it was a disappointing performance from the defending champions as their supporters were visibly angered by the result and chased away the players who wanted to acknowledge them after the game.
Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa, whose team is sixth on the log table with 17 points, admitted after the game that their performance had been below par.
“It is cause for concern now. The best result we are getting is a draw. We need to delve deeper into what is causing this.
“We did revamp the team but we lack experienced players. At this juncture, we need experienced players who can boost team morale,” Pasuwa said.
Bullets began life without attackers Lanjesi Nkhoma and Patrick Mwaungulu, who are expected to join Democratic Republic of Congo’s TP Mazembe pending a medical.
Civil were the better side for much of the first half but rarely threatened the Bullets’ goal.
Both teams had opportunities to take an early lead but missed their closest chances.
After a goalless first half, the visitors broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute through Malinda, who capitalised on a defensive lapse to beat Bullets’ goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu.
However, the lead was short-lived as Petro equalised a minute later.
Thereafter, it was a balanced game with both teams searching for a winning goal that never materialised.
Civil Assistant Coach Wilson Chidati said they failed to capitalise on their chances.
“It was a tough game. We created several opportunities which we failed to convert, but we are satisfied with the team’s performance,” Chidati said.
Civil now have 15 points from 12 games.
Elsewhere, Chitipa United defeated Baka City 4-1 at Karonga Ground while Mzuzu City Hammers overcame Dedza Dynamos 2-1 at Mzuzu Stadium.
