Andrew Mdzumira

Silver Strikers Reserve assistant coach Rodrick Gonani says staying long without playing football after failing to qualify in the round 12 of Central Region Football Association Chipiku Premier Division league has affected the team.

Gonani was speaking after his side was booted out of the K20 million Champion Cup on Sunday against Chatoloma Admarc in Mponela, Dowa district.

Silver Reserves were beaten 4-2 on post match penalties after regulation time ended 1-all.

In the 2023 season, Silver Reserves failed to qualify to the semi-final of the tournament and that has been the case this year.

“We played very well in the first half but we failed to score goals. Our opponents played well in the second half and they found an early goal. We managed to equalize to force the game to penalties and could not make it,” he said.

Chatoloma looked more energetic than Silver Reserve in the second half and they scored at 48 minutes through Ginaziyo Wilima after he received a beautiful ball from Abuit Maida. Emanuel Nyakutepe rescued Silver Reserves at 81 minutes to force the game into penalties.

Chatoloma Admarc coach Sebastian Frank was excited with the victory and with the qualification to the semi-final of the cup.

“We struggled at the beginning of the tournament due to other issues in our team. We resolved those problems hence you have seen us playing as one team,” he said.

Chatoloma Admarc and Ekhaya FC are the teams that have qualified to the semi-final of the K20 Million Champions Cup in Mponela.