…..Dzaleka 0-4 Eagles
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The area 30-based Cops, Blue Eagles football team have started their TNM Super League return campaign on a high note as they thrashed Dzaleka Future 4-0 on Sunday April 28, 2024 at Dowa Community ground.
The home side, Dzaleka who have been dominating and winning trophies at the venue, started on a lighter note but their dominance was short-lived as experienced Eagles restricted them from penetrating their half.
Eagles piled pressure through Tonic Viyuyi, Blessings Malemia, and Laurent Banda, no wonder at the 21st minute of the first half, the visitors got a penalty after Viyuyi was fouled in the box.
Defender Andrew Juvinala firmly stood on the ball before sending Dzaleka goalkeeper Lehma to the opposite side, to make it 1-0.
In the 28th minute, Tonic Viyuyi flew high in the sky to connect the ball into the net with a beautiful header from a well-taken corner kick by Blessings Malemia. This goal gave the Policemen some energy as they pinned the home team in their half.
In the 32nd minute, Dzaleka got a chance as Jacob Robert nearly scored in his own goal, thanks to Maxwell Gustavo he came at the nick of time to clear the ball from the line.
As the half nearly closed, Tonic Viyuyi scored from a rebound following the poor management of the ball by Lehma after Schumacher Kuwali’s shot first hit the post and he parried the ball in his area.
At the recess, the Blue Eagles were up by 3 goals to nil.
Came second half, Dzaleka started the way they started in the first half, but their effort did not produce any fruit of goals as the visitors were organized in defense, comprising Ganizani James, Jacob Robert, Andrew Juvinala, and Maxwell Gustavo.
After noting that he had already secured the pivotal maximum of three points, Eliah Kananji made the first changes in the 72nd minute, he brought on Ranken Mwale and Trouble Banda for Gilbert Chirwa and Laurent Banda.
Captain Schumacher Kuwali, scored the fourth goal and put the game out of reach to Dzaleka in the 74th minute, He exchanged a few passes with Blessings Malemia before slotting the ball at the bottom corner.
Blue Eagles made another change at the 85th minute as Schumacher Kuwali and Blessings Malemia patched a way for the newly promoted lads from the reserve side, Ajusa Kalowa and Maxwell Mbewe.
A few minutes later the match ended, and it was confirmed that the Eagles had collected the maximum points in their first game of the Chipiku league.
Coach Eliah Kananji hailed his boys for the victory, “I am happy with the boys as they are adapting fast to the playing venues. Look the pitch is bare but they played well and we have collected maximum points. We will be taking game by game but still, there is a long way to go. Hence, we need to have full focus and dedication”.
The match was part of the activities that the Central Region Football Association (CRFA) organized at Dowa Community Ground in Dowa to mark the commencement of the 2024 MK19.8 million Chipiku Stores Premier Division League.
Football Association of Malawi President Fleetwood Haiya, CRFA Chairperson Austin Ajawa, and the Malawi Police Commissioner responsible for Research and Planning Barbra Tsiga graced the occasion.
Twenty-four (24) teams have been grouped into three groups of 8 teams to play each other home and away. The top four teams from each group will qualify for the last 12 rounds and the overall winner will earn promotion into the elite league.
Blue Eagles are in group B alongside; Kasungu United, Wimbe United, Chisomo Academy, Chatoloma ADMARC, Dwangwa United, Dzaleka Future, and Support Battalion.
