Blue Eagles have wrapped up the FDH Bank Premiership first round on top of the table after stunning defending champions Mighty Wanderers 2-1 in an entertaining encounter at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe.
The policemen produced a strong first-half performance, scoring twice through man of the match Fahard Mcheka and Tonic Viyuyi, before Wanderers fought back after the break and pulled one back through Cameroonian Sama Thierry Tangong.
Straight from CAF Champions League 7-1 aggregate drubbing by Simba Sporting Club of Tanzania, Wanderers started brightly and threatened twice inside the opening four minutes, but Blue Eagles gradually settled and began to control proceedings.
Veteran Micium Mhone was at the heart of the hosts’ attacking play, providing assisst for the two goals.
In the 23rd minute, Mhone’s corner was parried by Wanderers goalkeeper Chancy Mtete, only for Mcheka to react quickest and finish from close range.
The hosts doubled their advantage seven minutes later when Mhone again provided the delivery this time for Viyuyi to head home.
Wanderers made a triple substitution before the break, bringing on Rajab Nyirenda, Emmanuel Nyirenda and Mphatso Kamanga for Dan Kudontho, Isaac Kaliati and Timothy Silwimba.
Blue Eagles went into the interval 2-0 ahead.
Wanderers returned from the break with greater urgency and created opportunities to reduce the deficit.
The visitors eventually pulled one back in the 76th minute.
A long throw-in from Peter Ng’ambi caused problems in the Blue Eagles box, with goalkeeper Precious Masamba parrying the ball but Tangong was on hand to fire into the empty net from the rebound to make it 2-1.
The goal transformed the contest, with Wanderers throwing numbers forward in search of an equaliser.
The hosts held firm through four minutes of added time to secure three points and finish teh first round on top with 31 points, one ahead of second-placed FCB Nyasa Bullets.
For Wanderers, who finish third with 29 points, defeat represents another setback in their title campaign.
In a post-match interview, Blue Eagles head coach DeKlerk Msakakuona said the victory did not come on a silver platter.
He said: “We knew that the game would be tough, considering that Wanderers were coming from three losses in Airtel Top 8 against Ekhaya and twice against Simba in CAF Champions League. That’s why we decided to score quick goals to defuse them.”
Wanderers interim coach McDonald Nginde Mtetemela said the defeat was painful.
He said: “This is a very bad result. But anyway football is what it is. We started well. But we conceded too early which affected us. Once you concede two early goals it becomes very difficult to come back and win a game.”
