Capital City giants Silver Strikers were not at their best against Extreme FC but still managed to collect maximum points after beating the TNM Super League newcomers 2-1 at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe Wednesday.
The win took Silver back to the top of the Super League log table with 28 points from 13 matches.
Relief was the prevalent emotion on the part of the Central Bankers as they returned to winning ways following two consecutive defeats in the elite league and the FDH Bank Cup.
Silver have dislodged defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who were not in action Wednesday.
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Mighty Mukuru Wanderers were also on cloud nine after claiming a 2-0 victory over Mafco at Chitowe Stadium in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota District.
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The Nomads are now second on the table, at par on points with Silver and only trailing due to an inferior goal difference.
There was something special about Silver’s victory Wednesday in that Chimwemwe Idana and Patrick Macheso, who missed the two matches Silver lost, redeemed them with their goals.
Macheso scored the first after five minutes, planting home a rebound from Atusaye Nyondo’s attempt.
However, Extreme came back into the match when Babakina Ishaya leveled the scores after slotting home a Justice Honde cross that beat Silver goalkeeper Charles Thom hands down.
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But Idana scored the winner in the 71st minute from a Stain Davie pass.
Silver assistant coach Taonga Chimodzi said he was happy with the victory.
“We started the game very well but we lost concentration a bit and that resulted into the equaliser. After conceding, the response from the players was very good and we kept pushing until we got the winning goal,” Chimodzi said.
The result saw Extreme’s troubles worsen as they remain at the bottom of the table with six points from 14 matches.
Interim coach Elvis Kafoteka refused to throw in the towel.
“We are still battling for survival and there is no giving up. The boys gave out their all and we matched Silver in every department. But we lost concentration a bit in the second half to give the game away,” Kafoteka said.
At Chitowe Stadium, Wanderers continued with their revival with a third straight win and a clean sheet.
Vitumbiko Kumwenda scored in the 18th minute before Vincent Nyangulu grabbed the second goal to complete the triumph.
For the second match running, Wisdom Mpinganjira was named Player-of-the-match after a five star performance.
The Nomads wind up their first round assignments with a tie against Kamuzu Barracks at Kasungu Stadium on Saturday.
Despite three consecutive wins in the league, Wanderers coach Mark Harrison said his team was work in progress.
“We are doing well but we can do better. The performance of the players is really good. We just need patience to achieve more success,” Harrison said.
Mafco coach Pritchard Mwansa described the defeat as painful.
“We made some mistakes in the first half which cost us the game. It is painful to lose in this manner at our own backyard,” Mwansa said.
The result left Mafco on position nine with 17 points from 14 matches.
The Salima-based soldiers will face Bangwe All Stars in their last match of the first round.
