Silver take up runners-up spot
Silver Strikers yesterday finished as TNM Super League runners-up following a 2-0 home win over Ekwendeni Hammers in their last game at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe.
Silver played their home game at Nankhaka as they were banned to play at home due to acts of violence.
They scored in either half through Robert Rodwell and Frank Banda to take their tally to 58 points from 30 matches. Third-placed Mighty Wanderers cannot reach the mark even if they win their last match as they have 57 points as their maximum points.
Nyasa Big Bullets are already the champions for the third successive season with a game to play as they stand at the summit on an insurmountable 59 points from 29 games.
Yesterday, Rodwell drew first blood for the Central Bankers in the 38th minute before Banda put a final flourish in the 65th minute.
Silver assistant coach McDonald Yobe said although they wanted to win the league title, they are satisfied with the second-place finish.
He said: “We struggled a lot in a number of games, especially in the second round but we are happy that eventually, we have not fallen out of the top-two brackets.”
“We have learned a lot this season and we hope to win the title next season.”
As for Ekwendeni, their defeat means they have missed by a whisker the top-eight finish, which is the requirement for qualification into the Airtel Top 8 Tournament, as they have wrapped up their fixtures on ninth place having tied on 41 points with 10th-placed Kamuzu Barracks.
“We really wanted to be in the top-eight and we fought hard for it but luck was not on our side,” said Ekwendeni coach Etson Kadenge Mwafulirwa.
Now, only two games remain before the top-flight league’s matches are concluded. Bullets will host Karonga United next Saturday while Wanderers will be up against Moyale Barracks.
