Silver Strikers on Saturday beat FCB Nyasa Bullets 3-2 in the K320 million Castel Challenge launch match at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
Uchizi Vunga was the hero of the day for the Central Bankers as his two goals made the difference.
Bullets started on a promising note and came close to scoring in the 8th minute, but Righteous Banda’s effort hit the post and Anthony Mfune wasted the rebound.
A minute later, Bullets fans roared in joy thinking that Mfune had scored, but referee Enesi Gumbo ruled it out for offside.
The Central Bankers had the most set pieces in the first half, creating four corner-kicks, but they failed to make the most of the opportunities.
In the 21st minute, Zebron Kalima broke the Bullets defence, but he failed to finish off as Eric Kaonga cleared the ball away.
But Tathedwa Willard made the difference just before recess, when he scored from long range.
After half time, Bullets assistant coach Peter Mponda reshuffled the attacking front, Anthony Mfune, Righteous Banda, and Kenneth Pasuwa for MacFarlane Mgwira, Maxwell Phodo and Hassan Kajoke.
The substitution nearly paid dividends as Kajoke missed after just coming on.
A couple of minutes later, Mkwate’s volley hit the post as Bullets gained momentum.
But it was the hosts who again found the net in the 56th minute. Vunga powered a strong shot past Rabson Chiyenda to send Silver fans into jubilation.
Bullets did not give up and continued to probe the Silver defence with incessant attacks.
They finally broke Silver’s resistance through Precious Phiri in the 70th minute.
It was a predatory goal from the edge of the box. This awakened the huge entourage of Bullets fans who started blowing trumpets. The players got infected by their fans and went on seeking an equaliser.
Hassan Kajoke rose up to the occasion to equalise in the 83rd minute.. The stadium erupted again with a huge roar from the Bullets fans, but their celebration was short-lived after Vunga scored the winner for Silver.
