By McLloyd Kudzingo
Robert Saizi’s last-gasp goal earned Bangwe All Stars maximum points as they beat league contenders Silver Strikers 3-2 at Kamuzu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Saizi scored the first goal for Bangwe in the 28th minutes with a cool finish following a defensive blunder by Maxwell Paipi who lost the ball to Emmanuel Savieli before Friday Osagie found Size who made no mistake and give the home side the lead.
Just seconds before the end of the first half, Bangwe won a free-kick which was beautifully taken by Yamikani Mologeni to the far post leaving Silver Strikers goalkeeper Charles Thom standing, arms akimbo in disbelief as it ended 2-nil in favor of the rookies at half time.
In the second half, Silver Strikers coach Pieter De Jhong made a number of changes, replacing Stain Davie and James Tambwali with veteran striker Atusaye Nyondo and Mathews Masamba in the 56th minute.
Silver also took out Zebron Kalima and Tatenda M’balaka for Duncan Nyoni and new signing George Chaomba in the 59th minute.
The changes yielded some results as Adiel Kaduya scored the first goal for the visitors in the 60th minute after an assist by Nyondo.
Two minutes later, Nyondo found the back of the net with a beautiful header connecting well a corner kick beautifully taken by Chinsisi Maonga.
Just when everyone thought it was going to end in a draw, Saizi completed his brace at 90th minute as he connected well an Emmanuel Lino’s pass to give the home side the much needed victory to the delight of coach Abel Mkandawire.
It was a disappointing afternoon for Silver Strikers who were hoping for a win to find themselves back at the summit of the log table.
The loss means the central bankers are stuck on position four in the standings with 32 points a point behind Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and Chitipa United who are perched on position two and three respectively.
Bangwe All Stars are now on position eight with 24 points after playing 18 games.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets who are in Equatorial Guinea playing in the Caf Champions league this evening, remain top with 34 points and they have played a game less than the rest of the top four teams.
In Lilongwe, Francis Black scored in the added time to grant bottom placed Extreme FC victory over Mafco FC at Nankhaka Stadium.
Innocent Chipolopolo had put the home side in front 33 minutes in the half but Peter Kasonga leveled the scores in the 51st minute but Black scored the winner in the dying minutes to help his side secure maximum points.
The Mchinji-based side remain bottom in the standings while Mafco are now fourth from the bottom,level on points with Red Lions who are on position 14 but the Zomba-based soldiers have a game to play.
Elsewhere, Karonga United thumped Ekwendeni Hammers 4-1 at Karonga Stadium to move two places up on the log table.
Mwiso Youngson scored a brace and the other goals came from Ellie Kayombo and Allen Chihana while Hammers got their consolation through Brian Phiri.
Despite the loss, Ekwendeni Hammers remain sixth on the log table with 25 points and Karonga have now moved to position 11 after accumulating 21 points from 17 games.
