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Super League giants Silver Strikers were on Wednesday offered some food for thought when the national schools team battered them 5-3 in a midweek friendly match played at the bankers own backyard in Lilongwe.
The game was part of the schools’ team’s preparations for the three-nation Coca-Cola regional schools soccer tournament slated for the Zambian capital Lusaka next weekend.
The central bankers were the first to be on target when midfielder Peter Mgangira fired them ahead in the first half. The youngsters trailed 1-0 by half time.
Little did the giants know what the lads had in store for them in the second half. The schools boys swarmed over the bankers in this half.
Deadly Strikers Sankhani Chibwatiko Nyirenda and Kevin Gondwe took turns torturing Silver’s goalkeepers Sibusiso Padambo and Bright Nyirongo, who were introduced on separate occasions in the last half. The bankers had Terence Kandoje in between the posts in the first half.
Gift Makoloni and Itaye Nundwe claimed the second and third goals for the home team but this was not enough to save their team from embarrassment. Gondwe netted a hat-trick with his striking partner Nyirenda hitting a brace as the youngsters won 5-3.
Silver’s coach Alex Masanjala lavished praise on the schools team after the game.
“We used two teams to give everyone a chance, but I should admit we played a good side. The schools’ team has a number of good players with a bright future and we will definitely be monitoring these boys so that we can beef up our teams (Silver youth and Silver Strikers),” said Masanjala.
His counterpart John Kaputa, who also used two squads, said he was confident that the team would do well in Zambia.
“I was trying to monitor some players in the first half before featuring the strongest team in the second half. Now I have a picture which players to pick, but I can’t release the names now.”
Kaputa said the team, which lost 3-2 to Civo last Friday, will play its last friendly match against Lilongwe City Under-20 select on Sunday. The game is expected to curtain-raise the Super League match between Mafco and Super Escom at Lilongwe Community Centre on Saturday.
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