Central Region Chipiku Premier Division side Blue Eagles stunned TNM Super League leaders Silver Strikers as they dumped them out of the FDH Bank Cup following a 5-3 win in at Nankhaka Stadium on Sunday.
The match went straight into penalties after goal-less in regulation time. Eagles progressed to the Round of 16 in the competition as they joined Rapidly as the second -tier side to qualify for the Round of 16 after the latter knocked out another Super League side Chitipa United 5-4 on penalty shootout on Saturday.
Lanken Mwale was the hero of the day when he scored the winning penalty after Silver’s Innocent Shema saw his penalty saved by Eagles Goalkeeper Joshua Waka.
Micium Mhone, Andrew Jovinala, Ganizani James, Jacob Robert and Mwale made no mistakes as they converted their penalties for the home side.
Maxwell Paipi, Chimwemwe Idana and Nickson Mwase converted their spot kicks for Silver.
The win means Eagles are undefeated in all competitions while Silver’s unbeaten run came to a halt this season.
Eagles coach Elia Kananji praised his players for the victory.
” It was a difficult match but credit should go to the players for the wonderful performance . Very few gave us a chance to progress to Round of 16,” said Kananji.
Silver coach Peter Mponda was dejected with the loss.
” It is painful result. I am very disappointed with the result and the performance of the team. We did not do enough to win the game,” said Mponda.
Eagles will face the winners between Santhe Admarc and Simbi FC in the Round of 16.
Holders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets returned to winning ways as they swept aside Bangwe All Stars 5-0 at Kamuzu Stadium.
Patrick Mwaungulu and Chikumbutso Salima netted a brace each with the other goal coming from Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju.
Following the win, Bullets will face either Mighty Mukuru Wanderers or Cobbe Barracks, who will face each other at Balaka Stadium on Monday.
Bullets coach Kalisto Pasuwa said the win over Bangwe was a morale booster for his team as they aim to win the competition for a third straight year.
“We played possession football but again we missed several chances.We came good in the second half and we saw goals coming which is a motivation for the team,” said Pasuwa.
Bangwe coach Rodgers Yasin said his side lost concentration in the second half.
” We did well in the first half but we relaxed in the second half,” Yasin said.
In another Round of 32 match, Moyale Barracks progressed to the round 16 following 7-1 victory over Chintheche United at Mzuzu Stadium.
Emmanuel Allan scored four goals while Charles Nkhoma, Prince Phiri and Chifundo Damba each scored a goal. Kondwani Jere scored the consolation for United.
Karonga United also advanced to the round of 16 following 2-1 victory over Mzuzu City Hammers at Karonga Ground.
Blessings Mwalilino scored a brace whereas Wongani Lungu was on target for Hammers.
