Silver Strikers are living their dream, having made one of the best starts to the TNM Super League in five seasons.
And Sunday, the Central Bankers showed great character as they dispatched Civil Service United 2-0 in a Lilongwe derby at Civo Stadium to extend their lead at the summit of the 16-member log table to eight points after 11 matches.
Their impressive start to the 2024 TNM Super League season has fuelled optimism among Silver fans that they could end their 11-year wait for the title.
However, it is too early to make conclusions in the title race.
The victory over their city rivals means the Central Bankers have 29 points from 11 matches, eight above second-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, who claimed a 2-1 victory over Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre in another match Sunday.
Out of 11 matches, Silver have dropped points against Dedza Dynamos (1-1) and Tigers (2-2) this season.
The Central Bankers are 13 points above defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who shared the spoils with Kamuzu Barracks following a goal-less stalemate in Lilongwe on Saturday.
It seems Silver have rediscovered their mojo under the tutelage of former Flames and Bullets captain Peter Mponda.
The former Bullets assistant coach has shown great reading of the game in the 11 matches of the campaign.
Second half goals from Innocent Shema and substitute Charles Chipala made the difference in a match watched by a huge crowd.
Shema, who was voted man-of-the-match, opened the scoring with a powerful header from Uchizi Vunga’s assist.
The goal sent the sky blue side of town into ecstasy.
Chipala doubled the lead in the 66th minute with a good finish from Tatenda M’balaka’s assist.
It was a bad day for Civil as they suffered their second consecutive loss in the TNM Super League after they lost 3-0 to Wanderers last week in Blantyre.
In a post-match reaction, Mponda felt his charges deserved the win.
“We are not under pressure and we need to enjoy being at the summit. We are taking each match as it comes,” Mponda said.
On his part, Civil Coach Abasi Makawa said there is a big gap, in terms of class, between the two teams.
“To be fair, Silver have quality in abundance compared to us. They have a deep bench and they made good changes at the break,” Makawa said.
Civil are on position nine in the TNM Super League with 14 points from 11 matches.
At Kamuzu Stadium, Wanderers registered their third straight win under the tutelage of Meck Mwase as they beat Tigers 2-1 with goals from Isaac Kaliati and Francisco Madinga whereas Messiah Kachingwe scored the consolation goal for Tigers.
Wanderers are second with 21 points from 11 matches.
Elsewhere, Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos registered a 1-0 victory over Karonga United at Dedza Stadium courtesy of Promise Kamwendo’s goal.
Chitipa United and Creck Sporting Club shared the spoils following a 1-1 stalemate.
Rajab Nyirenda scored for Chitipa but Gift Kadawati rescued a point for Creck for the third time in a row.
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