….Eagles 3-0 Support
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Blue Eagles football club played the Central Region Football Association (CRFA) league game at Nankhaka Stadium on Saturday 11th May 2024 for the first time since 2003, as they thrashed Support 3-0.
The Policemen continue showing intent to return to Malawi’s elite league as they have made a clean start to the Chipiku Premier division league season with two wins out of two games.
Laurent Banda started it off in the 20th minute of the first half, scoring from Tonic Viyuyi’s flicking header who received a beautifully taken throw-in by Maxwell Gustavo.
The Armour Battalion Unit continued pushing for an equaliser and several times missed an opportunity from a pint-sized striker Lumbani Mkandawire who finished with 16 goals last season.
With vast experience, the Eagles kept pressing through Captain Schumacher Kuwali, and Tonic Viyuyi playing as twin strikers but they couldn’t get goals as the Soldiers kept defending their goal well.
In the 31st minute, Tonic Viyuyi had another chance to stretch Eagles’ lead from a well-taken corner kick by defender Andrew Juvinala but saw his effort go over the bar.
Towards the close of the first stanza, Support Battalion coach, Jonnex Mpondawaya was red-carded for altering and confronting the first assistant referee in disagreement with the offside decision he made.
The first half ended with the home team narrowly leading by 1-0 courtesy of Laurent Banda’s 20th-minute goal.
In the second half, the Mvera-based Soldiers continued showing resilience but lacked support to reach goals.
As the tempo of the game grew, Ganizani James received a yellow card for fouling Lumbani Mkandawire, and the free kick was given which went over the bar.
In the 63rd minute, Captain Schumacher Kuwali scored but the referee ruled it out for offside, however, the decision did not go well with the technical panel.
In the 75th minute, Schumacher Kuwali scored a beautiful goal after sailing through the thick forest of Support defense before slotting the ball to the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
Defender Jacob Robert received a yellow card for a foul on Mkandawire again who showed some glimpses amongst the Armour attackers.
With eight minutes to go, Laurent Banda stretched Blue Eagles’ lead and the Armour Battalion only needed support to come back into the game, but the support was nowhere near them.
As part of delaying tactics, Blue Eagles head coach Eliah Kananji made several changes as Schumacher Kuwali, Laurent Banda and Gilbert Chirwa paved the way for Ranken Mwale, Blessings Tembo, and Maxwell Mbewe. At the same time, Micium Mhone replaced Blessings Malemia with goalkeeper Joshua Waka coming on for Chakonda Majanga.
A few minutes after these changes, the match ended with a 3-0 scoreline for Blue Eagles to continue topping group B with 6 points, scoring 7 goals and conceding none.
In their first game, the Policemen defeated Dzaleka Future 4-0 away at Dowa Community ground courtesy of Tonic Viyuyi’s brace, Andrew Juvinala, and Schumacher Kuwali’s goals.
In reaction to the victory, Eagles coach hailed the players for banging second consecutive win and acknowledged Armour Battalion gave his side a tough ride.
Kananji has since warned his charges against being casual saying the league has more teams with quality.
Armour Battalion coach Jonnex Mpondawaya accepted the defeat saying the home team capitalized on their experience to defeat his side. He also attributed the loss to poor officiation.
In Mchinji at Mkakeni ground, Super League relegated outfit, Extreme won the derby over Simbi FC 1-0. The victory came after the team shared spoils 2-2 against Namitete Zitha in their opening game.
Airborne Rangers claimed a 4-2 win over Ntcheu Warriors as Mitundu Baptist held Silver Strikers Reserve to a 1-1 draw at Mpemba ground.
The battle for the points continues today,Sunday as Leyman Panthers host LUANAR at Bingu Upper ground,Chisomo Academy rock horns with Dzaleka Future at Kasungu Stadium whereas Santhe ADMARC entertain Mbabzi United at Santhe ADMARC.
