SILVER STRIKERS PUT FOUR PAST MOYALE BARRACKS

By Twimepoki Mangani – Mana.

Lilongwe September 14, Mana: The bankers, Silver Strikers have broken the season jinx after defeating Moyale Barracks for the first time across all competitions, thumping the northern region based side 4-1 at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) on Wednesday.

In the first round of the TNM super league the teams played to a draw then Moyale Barracks dumped Silver Strikers out the FDH Bank cup through penalties.

Speaking in a post-match interview, Silver Strikers Gaffer, Pieter De Jongh described the match as difficult since they conceded first before claiming victory.

“It was important that we maintained ball circulation; we created some big chances then scored the penalty after the foul on Duncan Nyoni which was followed by a good second goal and after the third goal I knew we had finished the game,” said De Jongh.

In response to whether Silver Strikers will catch up with Chitipa United, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, De Jongh said it is possible since the team’s approach to every game remains the same.

“The situation remains the same. Of course, it is not easy. However, we know our players and look forward to the next matches starting with Dedza Dynamos on Saturday,” he said.

Head Coach for Moyale Barracks, Nicolas Mhango outlined that his team got off to a positive trajectory but were eventually demotivated due to what he described as poor officiating.

“The first goal should not have been a penalty neither was the second goal meant to stand because Silver Strikers were off side,” he said.

Mhango further expressed optimism that his team will bounce back since more games are yet to be played.

“We are going through a rough patch; that is football, you cannot be on a good position if you don’t win, however, if we play well we can improve,” he said.

While Mhango described the officiating as bias, he also noted that official complaints on match officiating are never attended to by authorities.

Speaking recently on the same after Super League of Malawi (SULOM) convened with super league club chairpersons, SULOM President, Fleetwood Haiya said they shall soon meet with the referees association to scrutinise complaints raised by teams.

Moyale Barracks took the lead through Gastin Simkonda after 5 minutes while Silver Strikers equalised through Innocent Shema’s penalty before taking the lead through Patrick Macheso and Chinsinis Maonga to close the first half.

It remained 3-1 for most of the second half with Maonga grabbing his brace on the 77 th minute.

Silver Strikers are 4 th with 36 points while Moyale Barracks are battling relegation onnumber 14 with 23 points.
Mana/tm/pk