By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Blue Eagles Football Club head coach, Eliah Kananji, is optimistic about defeating Silver Strikers in the prestigious MK320 million Castel Challenge Cup quarterfinal and securing a spot in the final.
Kananji expressed his confidence on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at the Bingu National Stadium following the team’s final preparations.
He stated, “Indeed, we are playing Silver Strikers tomorrow in the quarterfinal, and it will be a crucial game. Our counterparts may casually approach this game, considering that we are out of the elite league, but this will be a different encounter. As Eagles, we will approach this game flat out.”
“The morale in camp is too high, and the preparations have gone very well. The players have recovered from relegation humor, and their focus is on the Castel to make sure we have a last sip of the black edition. As a coach, I am upbeat that we are taking the cup to Area 30, though our focus is on tomorrow’s game as of now,” Kananji added.
Here is how the journey of the two sides has been to reach this quarterfinal stage, starting with Blue Eagles FC.
The policemen defeated Chipiku Premier Division outfit Leyman Panthers 4-0 in the round of 64 before securing a 1-0 victory against Extreme in the round of 32. Eagles were 3-1 victors over Kamuzu Barracks FC.
The central bankers registered a convincing 5-0 win over Namitete Zitha in the round of 32 before delivering a football lesson with a 7-1 victory against Ekwendeni United, leaving Bingu National Stadium with a hangover.
Since 2018, Silver Strikers and Blue Eagles have met eight (8) times in the TNM Super League, with the central bankers registering three wins, and Eagles also securing two victories, while two games ended in a stalemate.
The winner tomorrow joins Bangwe All Stars and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers FC in the semifinals, who defeated Chitipa United FC and Moyale Barracks, respectively, days ago. FCB Nyasa Big Bullets will face Ekwendeni Hammers in another semifinal at Kamuzu Stadium.
