The last visit to Karonga Stadium in the top flight league on Thursday ended in a one-all draw after a second-half header from Charles Chipala canceled out a first-half goal from the spot kick.
The draw keeps Silver Strikers at the top of the summit with 44 points and is still the only team with an unbeaten record this far.
Chitipa United made their intentions known from the first minute to hold the league leaders as the side kept on slowing down play.
Their game plan looked to have started to pay dividends at 25 minutes when the hosts scored from a spot kick after a handball was spotted in the eighteen-yard box. Ramadhan Ntafu sent George Chikooka in the wrong direction.
Five minutes later, the Central Bankers made a first change when Charles Chipala and Gift Chunga were introduced for Zebron Kalima and Chinsisi Maonga.
Chitipa United took the slender lead to half-time.
Come the second half, Silver Strikers were eager to retain in the match as two minutes into the second half Chimwemwe Idana blasted off a chance created from a long throw by McDonald Lameck.
However, at 51 minutes, Charles Chipala leveled matters with a strong header from a throw-in from Lameck.
With the scores at par, the game’s tempo rose and the it became exciting. At 67 minutes, Chunga was taken out for Friday Osagie. Later on, captain Chikondi Kamanga was rested for Duncan Nyoni.
The changes did not change the scoreline until regulation time.
In a post-match interview, Head Coach Peter Mponda praised his charges for raising the game at a time they were behind.
“We have played a one-all draw today against Chitipa United and that is not a bad result considering that we have played away from home. This was a hard-fought point and we return home as we have earned a valuable point”, he said.
Silver Strikers will play next after the international break against Bangwe All Stars in Blantyre.
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