By George Mponda

Karonga, August 30, Mana: TNM Super League leaders, Silver Strikers Football Club have dropped two points after playing to a one-all draw against relegation-threatened Chitipa United at Karonga Stadium Thursday.

Silver who are yet to taste defeat this season were stunned by Ramadan Ntafu's penalty 26 minutes after their defender Nickson Mwase handled the ball in the 18-yard box.

Immediately after Ntafu converted his penalty into a score, the Bankers’ Coach, Peter Mponda made two changes bringing in Charles Chipala and Gift Chunga whilst Zebron Kalima and Chinsisi Maonga were rested and the first half ended 1-0.

In the second half, Charles Chipala headed home a throw-in by McDonald Lameck at 51 minutes to level the scores and they held each other until the referee blew his whistle ending the game at 1-1.

Rajab Nyirenda of Chitipa United was voted Man of the Match at the end of the game.

In post-match interviews, Silver Strikers Coach, Peter Mponda hailed his boys for maintaining their unbeaten run in the league this season.

"Although we planned to collect all three points, we have salvaged a point which will still help us in our quest to win the league this season. Chitipa scored from a penalty and after that, they did nothing much, all the same, this result is not bad for us,"Mponda said.

On his part, Head Coach for Chitipa United Christopher Nyambose promised the team’s fans that the team will not be relegated this season.

"If our team is relegated then we will kill football in Chitipa so our plan in the second round is to collect points which will ensure our survival in the league,"Nyambose said.

At the moment, Silver Strikers are leading the league with 44 points from 18 games followed by Mighty Mukuru Wanderers who have collected 38 points from 19 games.