Giant killers Chitipa United’s fairytale run in the TNM Super League came to an end after Silver Strikers halted their unbeaten home record by edging them 1-0 at Karonga Ground Wednesday.
Maxwell Paipi scored the only goal of the match in the seventh minute of the match to see Silver return home with four points after drawing 0-0 with Karonga United last weekend at the same venue.
Chitipa had turned Karonga into a fortress this season with victories against top teams such as defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
However, they finally met their match in Silver who frustrated their bid to continue fighting for the league title.
The victory means Silver have reduced the gap with leaders Bullets and second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers to three points.
Silver have 50 points from 27 matches with Bullets enjoying the advantage of three matches in hand heading into the final stages of the season.
Chitipa Coach MacDonald Mtetemera blamed the loss on fatigue.
“We have played many matches in a space of 14 days. Honestly, it is not easy for us to play all these matches in such a short time. This is not good for Malawi football,” Mtetemera said.
His Silver counterpart Pieter de Jongh said he was pleased with his team’s performance.
“It was a very tough match but I am happy that the players worked hard for the victory,” de Jongh said.
Silver’s Chimwemwe Idana was named player of the match as he commanded the midfield with aplomb.
Despite the loss, Chitipa have maintained fourth position on the log table with 44 points from 27 matches.
In another match played Wednesday, Red Lions kept their survival hopes alive with a 1-0 victory over Ekwendeni Hammers at Balaka Stadium.
Humphrey Minandi scored the only goal of the match to see the Zomba-based Malawi Defence Force side collect full points.
However, the win did not change their fortunes as they continue to languish in the relegation zone with 28 points from 28 matches and are second from bottom.
