……..Red Lions 0-2 Blue Eagles FC
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Eagles from Mbalangwe Hills have spread their wings and soared to position 8 on the TNM Superleague ladder after edging the wounded Lions from Zomba 2-0 at Balaka Stadium on Saturday, September 23, 2023.
The 2022 TNM Superleague runners-up needed a win at all costs to keep themselves safe from the relegation battle in the 2023 season.
Considering that in the first round, the duel shared spoils 1-1 at Nankhaka Stadium in the Capital Lilongwe, Blue Eagles FC treated the soldiers with caution.
No wonder the Eagles did not open spaces for the Reds to penetrate and take shots at Chakonda Majanga’s goal.
Despite all efforts being put in place by the two security agencies to score early in the first half, they all yielded nothing.
Eliah Kananji’s boys could have broken the deadlock with just 7 minutes into the game but Nenani Juwaya cleverly saved a Christopher Gototo effort.
In the 26th minute Richard Rapson came up with a stunning free-kick which the Reds goaltender dealt with and the home team replied in the 32 minute through Brown Gondwe’s brilliant connection that went wide before Ronald Pangani wasted a one-on-one chance with Chakonda Majanga in the 40th minute.
Before the close of the first half Laurent Banda who was a busy boy to the Eagles side had his effort going wide in the dying minutes of the half.
Reacting in frustration as he expected his side to score early goals Blue Eagles FC gaffer Eliah Kananji made two changes at the beginning of the second half with Captain Schumacher Kuwali and Tonic Viyuyi replacing Christopher Gototo.
Lanken Mwale and his opposite number Franco Ndawa replied by bringing in the former Blue Eagles FC player Mathews Boloweza for Franklin Titanic.
The change to the Eagles side brought magic into the game as Laurent Banda drew first blood for his side after a beautiful cross by his brother Trouble in the 56th minute.
The Eagles could have been up by 2 goals in the 66th minute as Trouble Banda came again with a beautiful delivery to substitute Viyuyi whose effort went wide.
The visitors kept pressing with Kuwali causing havoc to the Red Lions defenders.
There was a beautiful exchange of passes amongst Trouble Banda, Laurent Banda, and Schumacher Kuwali before Richard Rapson delivered a cake for Kuwali to score the second goal for the Eagles in the 78th minute leaving Juwaya to guard the sticks with nothing to do.
As part of the delaying tactics, the Blue Eagles FC technical panel made several changes as Chikondi Mvula and Christian Maluwa replaced Richard Rapson and Trouble Banda.
Toward the close of the game, Blue Eagles FC won a free kick almost 27 meters away from Nenani Juwaya’s goalpost and defender Maxwell Gustavo leaned down to take a powerful strike that was denied by upright and Sankhani Mkandawire skied the ball in a follow-up for a goal kick to the home team.
Red Lions scored what could have been a face-saver by Ronald Pangani but referee Gift Chicco spotted offside, and soon he blew the whistle to end the match.
Trouble Banda for Blue Eagles FC was later voted Farmers Organization Limited player of the match as the Policemen soared to position 8 with 30 points from 23 games.
After the match, Blue Eagles FC coach Eliah Kananji acknowledged they struggled in the first half hence making quick changes in the second half which paid dividends.
“If Red Lions were as good as other teams we could have been conceded in the first half. Our attackers did not give much pressure to the defenders but after we brought in Viyuyi and Kuwali the complexion of the game changed completely hence a win.
“Let me repeat that as Blue Eagles FC we are not going to be relegated we return to Lilongwe to prepare for another tough match against Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at home”, explains Kananji.
Assistant Coach for Red Lions FC Chifundo Masapula was disappointed with the result saying things don’t look good for the Lions of Zomba as SRFA Thumbs League slowly calling them.
“We accept the defeat and things aren’t okay on our side but chances are there of survival if we can win 4 or 5 games but this will depend on how the boys will approach the games”, said Masapula.
Blue Eagles FC have scored 23 goals and conceded 22 with a goal difference of 1.
The team has won 6 games against; Chitipa United FC, Extreme FC, MAFCO FC, Mighty Tigers FC, Civil Service United FC, Ekwendeni Hammers, and Red Lions FC.
Drew 9 against, Red Lions, Bangwe All Stars FC, Dedza Dynamos FC, Kamuzu Barracks FC, Moyale Barracks FC, Civil Service United FC, Mighty Tigers FC, and Karonga United FC.
The area 30-based side lost 7 games against Silver Strikers FC, Ekwendeni Hammers FC, Nyasa Big Bullets FC, Karonga United FC, and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC.
Blue Eagles FC host Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC at Nankhaka Stadium on Wednesday while Red Lions FC who sits at position 15 on the ladder will be on the road to the Northern region to lock horns with highly spirited Chitipa United FC this coming weekend.
