Silver Strikers have extinguished FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ hopes of retaining the TNM Super League title with a goalless draw at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
The Central Bankers, who remain unbeaten and lead the table with 58 points from 26 matches, are now in prime position to claim the title with four fixtures left to play.
Defending champions Bullets, on the other hand, are third with 45 points, 13 points behind Silver Strikers and can no longer mathematically surpass their rivals even if they win all their remaining games.
This leaves Mighty Mukuru Wanderers as the only team with a realistic chance of challenging Silver Strikers for the title, sitting second with 53 points, just five points adrift.
In the first half, Bullets dominated early proceedings with chances from Babatunde Adepoju, Maxwell Gastin Phodo, and Uchizi Vunga, but Silver’s goalkeeper George Chikooka, who was named man of the match, made several crucial saves to keep the scoreline intact.
Despite Bullets’ dominance in terms of chances (four clear opportunities versus one for Silver), they struggled with composure in front of goal.
The second half saw both teams continue to press for the breakthrough, with Silver Strikers coming close through Binwell Katinji’s header in the 75th minute and Yankho Singo’s miss in the 72nd minute when the goal was wide open.
Both goalkeepers were kept busy throughout, with Chikooka again making key saves, including denying Wongani Lungu’s powerful effort in the 68th minute.
In the end, neither side could break the deadlock and the game concluded goalless.
In post-match interviews, Bullets’ Coach Calisto Pasuwa, acknowledged his team’s dominance in the game but lamented their failure to convert chances.
Silver Strikers’ Coach Peter Mponda, on the other hand, was satisfied with the draw, while stressing the tactical nature of the match and the importance of securing a point against the defending champions.
Football analyst, James Sangala, noted the tactical similarities between the two coaches, attributing the balanced nature of the game to their shared coaching philosophies.
Elsewhere in the league, Moyale Barracks secured a 2-0 victory over Kamuzu Barracks, thanks to goals from Prince Phiri and Luke Chima.
League action will continue on Sunday, with Civil Service United facing Karonga United and Mighty Tigers taking on Chitipa United.
