TNM Super League leaders Silver Strikers tightened their grip as they maintained a seven-point gap at the summit of the log table with six matches to go.
This follows Silver’s 0-2 victory over Mzuzu City Hammers at Mzuzu Stadium Wednesday while Mighty Mukuru Wanderers also kept their title hopes alive, having come from behind to stun relegation-threatened Chitipa United 1-2 at Karonga Ground.
At this stage, the title looks like a two-horse race between Silver and Wanderers, with defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who have been a pale shadow of themselves this season, coming in as dark horses.
The Central Bankers will be hoping to lift the title after going 11 years without winning it.
Silver top the 16-member log table with 54 points, seven points above second-placed Wanderers, with six matches to wind up the season.
Bullets are third with 40 points but with a game in hand which they are playing this afternoon against Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
Interestingly, Wanderers and Silver will face each other in a match which could also potentially decide the contest.
Silver can garner a maximum of 72 points if they win all their remaining six matches whereas Wanderers can only go as far as 65 points.
However, both teams have remained with crucial matches.
The Bankers have remained with Bullets, Baka City, Fomo, Wanderers, Mafco and Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos while the Nomads’ remaining opponents are Silver, Creck Sporting Club, Moyale Barracks, Bangwe All Stars, Mafco and Mighty Tigers.
Coming from a goalless draw against rivals Civil Service United on Sunday, Silver fought hard to collect maximum points in Mzuzu, thanks to Chinsinsi Maonga and Mark Fodya’s second half goals. Maonga was later named player of the match.
Silver coach Peter Mponda said the most important thing was three points.
’’We are happy with the way things are going. Resilience from the boys has kept us going without a loss. There are some games which we nearly lost but the boys fought their way back,’’ Mponda said.
At Karonga Ground, Rajab Nyirenda gave Chitipa the lead two minutes into the second half but Gaddie Chirwa pulled Wanderers level at the hour mark before Wisdom Mpinganjira sealed the win in the 80th minute.
Wanderers coach Meck Mwase said he was pleased with his charges’ work rate.
“We desperately needed the victory as the race is still a long way to go. It is not over until it is over,’’ Mwase said.
Elsewhere, Creck claimed a 3-1 victory over Civil Service United at Champion Ground.
George Chaomba scored a brace with the other goal coming from Muhammad Sulumba whereas Damiano Kunje scored the consolation goal for Civil.
The win moved Creck to position six with 35 points from 24 matches.
In another match played Wednesday, Mighty Tigers and Karonga United shared the spoils after a goalless stalemate at Kamuzu Stadium.
Leave a Comment