Silver Strikers registered 24 goals in four games when they deservedly beat Civo United 2-1 at home in a TNM Super League fixture at Silver Stadium.
Even the visitor’s coach Alex Masanjala conceded that his side could not match the hosts.
“Our defence could not cope with Silver’s offence and if their strikers were sharp enough, the margin could have been bigger,†admitted Masanjala after the match.
Buoyed by a partisan crowd, the hosts were comfortable on the ball from the first whistle despite the victors scoring first just 60 seconds after kick off.
Martin Masoatheka was the hitman. He capitalised on a Dickson Mbetewa Jnr’s fine pass, giving false hopes to Civo fans of a repeat victory against the home team.
The goal, however, did not dissuade Silver as they sought their first win against Civo in four contests in which they have played second fiddle to the Civil Servants.
A few minutes later, midfielder Jester Mulima levelled the scores with a fine curve above advancing Civo goalie, Onani Seengwa.
Harvey Nkacha was unlucky not to have extended the lead a couple of minutes later when his effort was cleared on the line by Pilirani Makupe.
Enterprising striker Asedi Ayami was also guilty of blasting wide after he did a solo effort weaving past Civo captain Charles Beni and Duke Phiri in defence for Civo.
In the 32th minute, Ayami was a victim of a nasty foul and he had to spend four minutes off the field being attended to by Silver medics.
He, however, managed to come back on and was a constant menace to Civo defence.
The first-half saw the two teams tied at 1-1.
Silver came into the second-half still in aggressive mood and kept the visitors defence of Makupe, Phiri and Ben working overtime, but it took time before they extended the lead through Peter Pindani.
He made use of a scramble in the visitors box to put the ball past Seengwa who never saw it hitting the net.
“We have to win each and every game if we are to win the title. Credit should go to the players for a battle well fought,†said Silver co-coach Hellings Mwakasungura.
