By Durell Namasani
TNM Super League defending champions Silver Strikers won the bragging rights for the capital city as they beat Civil Service United 2-0 at Silver Stadium in Lilongwe.
Two first half goals from Festus Duwe and Chimwemwe Idana were enough to give the central bankers the much needed victory to help them move to position 6 on the log table.
The visitors were the first to find a scoring opportunity from a free kick which was slightly missed by Blessings Malinda just five minutes from kick-off.
Four minutes later, the central bankers responded with a brilliant move starting with Innocent Shema who tried to find Emmanuel Allan in the box but Peter Ng’ambi arrived in time to clear the danger.
Festus Duwe then opened the scoring for the hosts with a beautiful strike against his former club after receiving a pass from Chinsinsi Maonga in the 12th minute.
Uchizi Vunga almost doubled the lead in the 15th minute but his powerful shot was beautifully saved by Civil goalkeeper Blessings Juma.
A minute later Moses Banda had a similar opportunity outside the penalty box but Silver goalkeeper George Chikooka made a fantastic save to deny the visitors a possible equaliser.
In the 30th minute Civil coach Abassi Makawa made his first substitution, bringing in the fresh legs of Yankho Billiati for Emmanuel Muyira.
Two minutes before the end of the first half, Civil defender Charles Mafaiti made a blunder which forced goalkeeper Blessings Juma to commit a foul on Emmanuel Allan in the penalty box.
Chimwemwe Idana stepped in to take the spot-kick which he managed to convert to give the central bankers a 2-nil lead before half time.
In the second half, Civil made another substitution, bringing in Chikaiko Batson and Dustin Banda for Muhammad Biason and Damiano Kunje.
Festus Duwe had a chance to complete a brace but his bicycle kick was saved by Juma.
In the 60th minute, Silver coach Peter Mgangira made his first substitution of the day, bringing in Binwell Katinji for Emmanuel Allan as Civil replaced Precious Chipungu and Moses Banda with Frank Chizuze and Thomson Magombo.
Katinji had two clearcut chances to find the back of the net but but was denied by goalkeeper Blessings Juma.
Towards the end of the match, Civil had a couple of chances to score but they lacked a killer punch up front and it ended 2-nil in favour of the home side .
This was the sixth game for for Silver Strikers who have now accumulated 11 points, seven behind league leaders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.
