Blue Eagles Saturday kept their impressive form in the TNM Super League going when they defeated Blantyre based giant, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Nankhaka ground in Lilongwe.
The much anticipated match saw a goalless first half which was largely dominated by Blue Eagles through goal threatsfrom Gaddie Chirwa, Ian Chinyama, Richard Rapson and Paul Master, and for several times Wanderers goalkeeper, Pilirani Mapira emerged heroic.
During the second half Coach of Blue Eagles, Elia Kananji made some twitches to the squad which proved effective as the team was able to pull up their socks, that evolves Rapson, Schumacher Kuwali, Master and goalie. Munthali had several stand out moments during the match.
But on several attempts, Blue Eagles were left wanting as Miracle Gabeye was unshakable on a defensive end.
Eagle’s left winger, Rapson broke the deadlock during the 56th minute through an assist from Kuwali.
In a post-match interview Coach of Blue Eagles, Kananji hailed his players for the good game and encouraged them to play well ahead of their final matches.
“We are happy for the three points, of course we can’t conclude that we are number two yet but we shall work hard in the remaining three games so that we can assess ourselves after we have played all games,” he said.
Kananji admitted that it was unpleasant for the coaching staff when the team can’t sum up wins against weaker teams but insisted that he would continue encourage the team.
“Yes we have lost to some of the weaker teams, as coaching staff we tell them all games are the same, but normally the boys become relaxed but largely their performance has been great which is a result of the excellent coaching stuff we have,’ he added said.
Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC Coach, Alex Ngwira said that they didn’t have the best game but remain hopeful to make the top four.
“We didn’t play well today, we were slow and always defending, they had an edge, and hence scored a wonderful goal. We were meant to get a penalty but the referee didn’t call it I guess that’s football in Malawi.
“We want to focus on the remaining games, we need to fix the problems will saw and hope to make it to top four and even top two, who knows they have tough away fixtures coming up,” he said.
Bleue Eagles left winger, Rapson was named man of the match while Eagles central defender, Jacob Roberts had his matching orders after receiving a second yellow card in the 61st minute.
In another match, Civil Service United beat Ekwendeni Hammers 1-0, a penalty from Bashir Maunde.
The league table as of October 29, 2022 has Blue Eagles in second place after playing 27 games with 56 points while Mighty Wanderers having played 26 games has 50 points.
Nyasa Big Bullets still leads the log table with 61 from 26 games.