……Civo 0-2 Silver
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Capital City of Malawi, Lilongwe has been painted the Sky Blue colour as the Central Bankers have pounced on their city rivals Civil Service United to emerge 2-0 victors of the first derby of 2024 in the Malawi’s elite league at Civo Stadium.
The fierce and fascinating battle between the city rivals promised fireworks from the word go as fans witnessed beautiful display.
Both teams were able to attack but created few scoring chances until the last whistle of the first stanza.
After the recess, Silver Strikers’ head Coach Peter Mponda who had his Capital City derby debut as Bankers manager made two substitutions in search for the goals, he brought on Chinsinsi Maonga and former Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos forward, Charles Chipala for Atusaye Nyondo and Duncan Nyoni who didn’t come for the party on Sunday afternoon in Area 9.
The changes truly brought stability in Silver Strikers team as they started attacking with aggression and precision.
In the 48th minute, Innocent Shema for Silver scored with a stunning header from a well taken corner kick by Uchizi Vunga.
After this goal the visitors ignited fire as they started pressing hard and putting the home side under siege.
Substitute Charles Chipala extended the bankers lead with a simple tap in from a Tatenda M’balaka delivery in the box who had received a spectacular an accurate pass from Chimwemwe Idana who started the move from the centre.
In frustration Civil Service United coach Abbas Makawa replied by taking out Festus Duwe who had squandered chances alongside Muhammad Biason for Emanuel Saviel who is on loan from FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
Civil also brought on Righteous Banda for Chifundo Ngapemba.
The two changed the tempo of the game as the servants also pressed for the goals but their efforts yielded nothing as George Chikooka and Silver defense comprising of McDonald Lameck, Innocent Shema, Maxwell Paipi stood firmly in the line of defense.
Mponda made another change of the day by introducing Mark Fodya for Paul Kasungwi as Emmanuel Kaunga replaced former Blue Eagles defender McDonald Lameck whereas Uchizi Vunga paved a way for Patrick Macheso.
Silver kept possession in the closing stage by exchanging sexy passes to entertain their fans who almost fully parked Civo Stadium until referee Shaibu blew the last whistle.
After the last whistle supporters and players breathed a sigh of relief as the Central Bankers have been finding it difficult to beat the Servants in the past years.
In a post match interview Civil United head coach Abbas Makawa acknowledged the defeat, “We differed on quality and depth, our counterparts were better than us.
“After they made several changes the play also changed. All in all it wasn’t a completely bad game from us. We failed to take chances we created that’s football”, Makawa said.
Silver Strikers coach Peter M’jojo Mponda hailed his boys for fully having executed their game plan.
“We planned to work hard at the midfield and isolate their defenders and midfielders which really worked. In the first half we failed to create chances despite dominating the possession.
“We don’t have any pressure because we are currently leading the table”, Coach of the moment Mponda said.
Since the commencement of the league in April this year Silver Strikers are yet to test a defeat.
Currently on the summit with 29 points from 11 games managed to win 9 and drawn 2.
The bankers have now opened an 8 point gap against the second placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who have 21 points and a 13-point gap with defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets who played to a barren draw against Kamuzu Barracks on the same venue on Saturday.
