Silver Strikers restored their seven-point lead at the top of the TNM Super League log table following a 1-0 hard-fought victory over Kamuzu Barracks at Silver Stadium Sunday.
The Central Bankers saw their lead cut to four points after second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers registered a 10-0 victory over relegation threatened-side Baka City at Kamuzu Stadium on Saturday.
Following the victory over KB, Silver have 48 points from 20 matches whereas Wanderers have 41 points from the same number of matches.
The win also relieves pressure on Silver, who had dropped points in two consecutive matches in the TNM Super League for the first time this season. They drew 1-1 against Chitipa before a similar result at home against Moyale Barracks.
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However, an own goal from Mike Mtonyo was the difference against KB, who matched Silver in many departments for the better part of the match.
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Mtonyo directed a Chinsinsi Maonga shot into his own net, beating goalkeeper Hastings Banda in the 35th minute of the match.
On the other hand, KB should blame themselves for wasting several chances in the first half.
Zeliati Nkhoma, Gregory Nachipo and Olson Lanjira came close to scoring in the first half.
In the second half, Silver also wasted some chances. Zebron Kalima struck the post.
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Binwell Katinji, Charles Chipala and Stain Davie also missed chances.
But Silver held on for the vital win as the title race reached boiling point.
Silver Coach Peter Mponda said the title was for them to lose and that his charges were not under pressure in the title race.
“I do not think there is any team that is piling pressure on us. Maybe if it was FCB Nyasa Big Bullets but I do not see Wanderers catching us. They have been given easy fixtures at home desperately to put pressure on us but they will not catch us,” Mponda said.
KB Coach Charles Kamanga accepted defeat.
“We planned to win the match but it was not our day. We gave them a good run for their money,” Kamanga said.
At Kamuzu Stadium, defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets bounced back from a 1-0 loss to Bangwe All Stars as they beat Chitipa United 4-2.
Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju scored a brace, with the other goals coming from Precious Sambani and Maxwell Gasten Phodo, whereas Blessings Joseph and Stimera Mwira scored for Chitipa.
Bullets moved to position nine on the 16 member log table with 27 points.
Their coach Kalisto Pasuwa said he was also surprised with the team’s slump in form this season.
“We have almost the same team that won the quadruple last season. We are trying to find out what the problem is,” Pasuwa said.
Chitipa Coach Christopher Nyambose said his charges gave Bullets too much respect.
“We started slowly and Bullets capitalised on that,” Nyambose said.
Elsewhere, Civil Service United claimed a 1-0 victory over Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos at Dedza Stadium courtesy of Festus Duwe goal.
Karonga United defeated Mafco 3-1 at Rumphi Stadium. Blessings Mwalilino netted a brace whereas the other goal came from Alfred Chizinga. Peter Kasonga scored the consolidation for Mafco.
Mzuzu City Hammers and Mighty Tigers shared the spoils after a goal-less draw at Mzuzu Stadium.
