FDH Bank Cup: Eagles, Ekas battle for national phase spot
By Edwin Mbewe
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The last game in the 2024 FDH Bank Cup second preliminary round in the Central region will take place today, Saturday at Civo Stadium as Blue Eagles FC and Ekas Freight Wanderers are battling for the spot in the national phase of the tournament.
It is promising to be a Titanic battle and full of fireworks if the two teams transform their league forms into the cup game.
Both Eagles and Ekas Wanderers are yet to test a defeat in the MK19.8 Chipiku Premier division league after playing four games.
The Policemen lead group B with 12 points after defeating Dzaleka Future 4-0, Chatoloma ADMARC 9-2, Armour Battalion 3-0 and Dwangwa United 4-0.
In the first round, the Policemen defeated Airborne Rangers 2-0 at home at Nankhaka Stadium courtesy of Tonic Viyuyi and Schumacher Kuwali’s goals. Eagles also soared high in the Castel launch clash as they plunked Jackal’s eyes, defeating Zitha by a 2-0 margin at Champion Stadium.
Likewise, Ekas Freight Wanderers led by the former TN Stars, Sable Farming head coach Joseph Malizani, are also enjoying good form in both league and cup the element which makes this afternoon’s clash more appetising.
Ekas lead group C with 12 points from four games, they won against Mitundu Baptist 3-0, LUANAR FC 3-1, Silver Strikers Reserve 1-0, and Ntcheu Warriors 3-1 and Jairos Malata is their current top goal scorer with 6 goals.
In the FDH Bank Cup first round, the area 25-based outfit defeated Namitete Zitha 1-0.
Blue Eagles head coach Eliah Kananji anticipates a tough encounter this afternoon “Indeed it will be a tough game as you know they are doing well thus far but as Eagles with full of experience. I am upbeat we will carry the day and progress to the next round.
“Our aim is to surpass our last season’s achievement of reaching the quarterfinals, this year we want to go further even the final, and win the cup”, said Kananji.
His counterpart Ekas Freight Wanderers coach Joseph Malizani says they aim to progress to the round of 32 which is a national level to make their team known in the country.
“It will be a good game, they are on top in their group and so too we are. The preparations have been good though we had a two-week break. We are ready for the fight”, Malizani said.
In the preseason games, Ekas Freight Wanderers defeated Blue Eagles 1-0 at Inspector General’s ground, National Police Headquarters in Lilongwe.
