Silver Strikers have set up a semi- final clash against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers in the Airtel Top 8 after a comfortable 6-2 aggregate victory over Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos in the quarterfinals.
The Central Bankers beat Dedza 2-1 at Dedza Stadium on Sunday, two weeks after a 4-1 victory at Silver Stadium.
Dedza were hoping to cause one of the greatest upsets in the competition when they took a first half lead.
Ibrahim Sadik opened the scoring for the hosts in the 28th minute from the penalty spot after Maxwell Paipi handled the ball in the box.
But substitute Chinsinsi Maonga pulled Silver level from the penalty spot in the 56th minute. Another substitute Charles Chipala put the game beyond Dedza’s reach when he punished his former club in the 81st minute.
Victor Lungu was named player-the-match.
Silver coach Peter Mponda said the result in the second leg was a true reflection of the match.
“Well deserved win . I think on the balance of play, we dominated in terms of possession , number of chances created, though we did not utilise most of them. But the 2-1 result is the true reflection of the match,” said Mponda.
Despite the defeat, Dedza coach Andrew Bunya said there were several positives from the match.
” We attacked from the first whistle as we wanted to turn the tables but unfortunately we failed to get the second goal,” said Bunya.
The semi-finals line up will be completed next month as defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will face Civil Service United in the quarterfinals second leg at Civo Stadium.
Bullets have an advantage heading into the second leg having won 2-0 in the first leg at Kamuzu Stadium.
In another quarterfinals second leg, Kamuzu Barracks will meet Chitipa United at Civo Stadium. KB lost 2-0 to Chitipa in the first leg at Karonga Ground.
