Silver Strikers were adamant not to allow Blue Eagles triumph over them twice in Cup action when they had to come from behind to progress to the round of 32 of the Castel Challenge Cup on Thursday.
Blue Eagles booted out Silver Strikers in the round of 32 of the 2024 FDH Bank Cup through post match penalties after it ended goalless in regulation time.
Last season, the two sides played each other in the quarterfinal stage of the same tournament at Bingu National Stadium where the Area 47 outfit outclassed the Police side 4-2.
On Thursday, the Central Bankers were shocked on their return from the International Break after Gilbert Chirwa fired the guests ahead in the 13th minute.
This happened just after Chikondi Kamanga registered a first attempt at goal from long range but the effort was way over the bar.
The Central Bankers were made to fight for redemption as they tried through thick and thin but chances by Charles Chipala, Zebron Kalima, Friday Osagie and Chimwemwe Idana couldn’t make it past the Brighton Munthali guarded goal.
One notable chance was at 34 minutes when Kalima hit the crossbar from a freekick after McDonald Lameck was brought down at the edge of the eighteen yard box by Maxwell Gustavo.
The Bankers pulled level through Emmanuel Muira’s header which was a response to a corner played in by Uchizi Vunga in the four added minutes of the first half.
With the scores at one all during recess, both sides never made changes to their starting line ups.
The hosts started the second half on a high note at just a minute into the half when Dan Sandukila, Uchizi Vunga and Chimwemwe Idana stitched up passes that opened up space for Idana to finishing off a good play but was flagged for offside.
At 67 minutes, Silver Strikers made a double substitution which saw Stanie Davie and Chinsisi Maonga coming in for Charles Chipala and Friday Osagie.
The changes brought instant dividends as at 71 minutes Dan Sandukila started a move from his left back position by releasing Chimwemwe Idana who made a run on the left side of the pitch and dribbled past his challenger before crossing the ball in the six yard box for Stanie Davie to tap in the second goal of the day for the Central Bankers.
Two minutes later, Davie missed a sitter after Chinsisi Maonga made a run and received a pass from Sandukila but quickly spotted Sandukila’s run and he released the ball to him which ended at the feet of Davie who failed to tap the ball in the net.
After the match, Head Coach Peter Mponda said it was a convincing win and praised his charges for playing well.
“We have played a very good match this afternoon, a match with high intensity and we created alot of chances. I feel we could have scored alot of goals today but we managed to score two and that was enough. We should also give credit to Blue Eagles, i feel they are a good side as they played well today and gave us a good run”, said Mponda.
Silver Strikers will turn focus to league action on Sunday as the team plays against CRECK Sporting club at AG Dimba in Mchinji.
Leave a Comment