…..Eagles 0-(4)-0(2)Santhe
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(Maravipost)-The Policemen from the National Police Headquarters, Blue Eagles FC on Saturday returned home wearing shiny faces after “FDH Bank approved their employer supported loan”.
Blue Eagles qualified to the 2024 FDH Bank Cup quarter-finals following their 4-2 thrilling penalty shoot-outs victory over resilient Santhe ADMARC at Nankhaka Stadium.
The battle between the Central region Chipiku Premier division league sides started on a lighter note for both, Santhe were the first to knock at Eagles goal with just three minutes into the game but Chikumbutso Sabilika had a disappointing delivery.
The former Jomo Cosmos midfielder, Micium Mhone tried to reply back too fast as he set through Tonic Viyuyi who squandered the golden opportunity on one-on-one situation with goalkeeper.
The home team continued expressing their eagerness to progress to the next phase of the tournament and they played two corner kicks in succession only for Santhe’s defense to clear them.
In these early stages, Eagles could be leading by number of goals as Mhone was marvelous to watch with pin pointing crosses and tormented the visitors defense. Despite his efforts, twin strikers in Captain Schumacher Kuwali and Tonic Viyuyi were blunt.
In the 23rd minute, Chikumbutso Sabilika missed another chance for Santhe which originated from set-pieces following a foul on captain Jason Yosophat by Tonic Viyuyi, the intensity of the game heated up and teams kept pushing for opening goals but to no avail.
In the 41st minute the Policemen came closer to break the dead lock after a beautiful counter attack but Schumacher Kuwali failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
A few minutes later centre referee Peter Jossam called for the recess with the two sides settling for 0-0 stalemate.
Second half started with Eagles launching a dangerous attack that ended into a corner kick which was taken by Schumacher Kuwali, but goalkeeper for Santhe was equal to the task.
The cops kept pushing and piled pressure, Kuwali delivered a dangerous ball into the box but Santhe defense stood firmly and cleared the danger and their pint-sized goalkeeper Zahaya Malithano injured in the process.
As time was fast ticking, Santhe ADMARC brought on fresh legs in Reuben Manda for Chiyembekezo Nengwa in defense but still the host continued dominating in search of the goals. In the 70th minute, Gilbert Chirwa cleared dangerous ball in the box.
Blue Eagles coach Kananji after smelling penalties, he made a tactical change at 84th minute as Tonic Viyuyi was replaced by the former Civil Service United captain Ranken Mwale.
The teams efforts to get goals in regulation time proved futile till Jossam blew the last whistle calling the match into the post match penalties.
Indeed the fate at Nankhaka Stadium was to be decided through the shootouts,the visitors were first through Chikumbutso Sabilika and sent Joshua Waka in the opposite direction.
Micium Mhone led the shootouts for Eagles with a powerful one onto the top corner.
Santhe’s Captain Yosophati hit the woodwork to deny his side a goal and Andrew Juvinala puts the home team in the lead 2-1.
Drama continued in the thrilling penalties as Eagle’s goal-stopper Joshua Waka cleverly saved Yona Mjogo’s shot whereby Ganizani James stretched Eagles lead 3-1.
Mavuto Gondwe scored for the visitors sending Waka to the opposite direction to make it 3-2.
Defender Jacob Robert carrying hopes of all Police officers at area 30 used a Monkey run before getting the ball with a Kitten walk to score a decisive kick that sent the cops into the second FDH Bank quarterfinals back-to-back.
To achieve this,Eagles defeated Airborne Rangers 2-0 in the preliminary round courtesy of Schumacher Kuwali and Tonic Viyuyi goals at Nankhaka before humbling Silver Strikers 4-3 in penalties after regulation time ended 0-0.
As their FDH Bank employer supported loan has been approved in the quarterfinals the cops will be waiting to know their next opponent after the draw which FAM will conduct.
In the 2023 edition Blue Eagles were eliminated in the quarterfinals by MAFCO in the fierce battle played at Chitowe Stadium.
The Soldiers surrendered their 2-0 lead in the closing stage of the match which ended 2-2 at regulation time. However, Eagles lost in penalties 5-4.
While Santhe lost 5-0 in the quarterfinals in the hands of Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium, they reached the stage after defeating Mighty Tigers and Kamuzu Barracks through penalties in 2023.
In the 2024 edition they were winners over Wimbe United,Dzaleka Future and Simbi respectively in Preliminaries and round of 32.
Other teams who have made it into quarterfinals including; Lube Masters who defeated Raiply 5-4 on penalties after 1-1 draw,Moyale Barracks who won 4-1 against MMF Marine and Baka City who eliminated Creck Sporting Club with a 1-0 score margin.
