……LUANAR 0-1 Eagles
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Blue Eagles soared to victory in the Castel Cup thriller against Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) at Mbabvi ground in Lilongwe.
The Policemen edged out fellow Central Region Premier League outfit LUANAR courtesy of Laurent Banda’s lone goal in the 45th minute in the first half.
The pint-sized winger received a beautiful ball from Ranken Mwale from the center circle to the right flank before Banda dribbled past the students’ defense and unleashed a powerful shot outside the 18-yard box, sending the ball to the right bottom corner of Graham Zinkambani.
Despite scoring in the first half, the Eagles struggled to contain the heat of LUANAR, who pressed hard through Austin Malola and Michael Mkandawire; however, the attackers lacked composure up front.
In the second half, the highly contested match brought excitement to the fans, with both teams displaying their skills and determination, though this time around it was the Eagles who attacked more with aggression.
LUANAR’s efforts were dealt with by the three defenders, Andrew Juvinala, Maxwell Gustavo and Ganizani James with Joshua Waka making critical saves, Kananji used a tactical formation of 3-5-2, parking the engine room with Captain Gilbert Chirwa, Paul Master, Micium Mhone, Laurent Banda, and Blessings Malemia, with Tonic Viyuyi and Ranken Mwale placed as twin strikers.
After the final whistle, it was confirmed that the Blue Eagles propelled to the national level of the 2024 Castel Challenge Cup, joining Praymid FC, Airborne Rangers, and Green Rangers, and the list of the five teams qualifying from the center will be complete after Leyman Panthers and Wimbe United battle on Sunday.
Blue Eagles head coach stated, “We are having problems with finishing; hence, we have to keep reminding the boys what we do during training. As we go to the next level, definitely, the heat will increase. LUANAR gave us a tough run today; thanks, we won. Our aim is to win the cup.”
LUANAR coach Milias Pofera Jegwe acknowledged the defeat, saying, “The luck wasn’t on our side. We did everything we could to score, but we were denied by the goalkeeper. We displayed a beautiful game and outplayed Eagles, but that’s football,” echoed Jegwe.
The Central Region Football Association general secretary, Antonio Manda, was happy with the way the thriller ended at Mbabvi ground.
“We are happy with the way it has ended; both teams are based in Lilongwe, and to end peacefully gives a good picture of our game. As an association, we are happy that Blue Eagles continue performing better in cups, and we are upbeat that they will win the cup,” said Manda.
Before meeting LUANAR, the Blue Eagles thumped Namitete Zitha 2-0 at Champion Stadium in Mponela, Dowa.
Despite being relegated from the elite league last season, the Malawi Police Service-sponsored side continues doing better in cups, as thus far they are in the quarterfinals of the FDH Bank Cup and the national level of the MK320 million Castel Ibongetse Challenge Cup, as well as topping the Chipiku Premier Division League Group B table.
