TNM Super League outfit Blue Eagles on Wednesday beat Northern Region Simso League Ekwendeni Hammers 3-1 through post-match penalties at Mzuzu Stadium to qualify to the quarter-finals of Carlsberg Cup.
The match was a repeat of the 2017 Carlsberg Cup round of 32 which Ekwendeni lost 6-0 at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe.
But this time, the match had to go into post-match penalties after regulation time ended goalless.
Eagles goalkeeper John Soko was a hero of the day after saving two penalties to help his side sail to the next stage of the competition.
Ekwendeni’s Kumbukani Botha blasted his spot-kick while Joseph Mbewe and Ephraim Chinula saw their penalties saved by the experienced Eagles goalkeeper.
Maxwell Salambula, Mike Nyondo and Steve Chagoma converted their penalties while Ekwendeni goalkeeper Frank Kaira saved Gregory Nachiposi’s penalty.
In a post-match interviews, Eagles coach DeKlerk Msakakuona, whose team recently won the Airtel Top 8 Trophy, hailed his boys for making it to the quarter-finals.
“It was a tough game. Ekwendeni’s fighting spirit needs to be recognised. All in all, we have managed to excell to the quarter finals. Thanks to the boys for the hard working spirit,” he said.
Ekwendeni manager Mabuchi Mkandawire said he did not expect a wonderful display from his boys.
“We played well. Blue Eagles are a big team, but the boys defied all odds and forced the game into penalties after a goalless draw,” he said.
