CAFCL: Silver Strikers stun Yanga

Malawian attacker Andrew Joseph’s late strike saw Silver Strikers stunning Young Africans Sports Club (Yanga SC) 1-0 in a CAF Champions League (CAFCL) second preliminary round match in Lilongwe on Saturday.

The Tanzania Mainland Premier League giants arrived in the Malawi capital determined to impress on and off the field of play—honouring their former coach Jack Chamangwana posthumously and donating to a children’s home before the first leg.

The presence of former Malawi coach Patrick Mabedi, serving as coach Romain Folz’s deputy, also seemed to give the Dar es Salaam-based team an advantage of insiders’ knowledge.

Little wonder, the visitors started the first leg game impressively as they bossed possession at Bingu National Stadium.

Yanga’s danger-man Andy Boyeli was among the visitors’ busiest players. In fact, he thought he had given Folz’s charges the lead but his effort was ruled out for offside in the 38^th minute. The two teams settled for a barren first half.

The hosts reorganised themselves in the second half and should have scored earlier.

Silver striker Stain Davies found attacking midfielder Charles Petro who in turn set free Uchizi Vunga who placed his effort wide in the 70th minute.

How Silver Strikers found their way to victory

Five minutes later, Silver found their way to victory. Petro won the ball and found enough space in the opponents’ box before laying the ball for Joseph to do the rest to perfection.

The Malawi champions, who saw off Elgeco Plus 1-0 on aggregate over two legs, will go to Dar es Salaam for the second leg next week aware that their lead is very delicate against the Champions League experienced campaigners.