Blue Eagles step up 2016 preparations
Blue Eagles pre-season tour of the Southern Region continued with a surprise one-all draw against Phalombe on Saturday at Phalombe Secondary School.
The Lilongwe-based police side may have finished third in 2015 TNM Super League, but on Saturday they were held by a hastily-assembled side coached by former Be Forward Wanderers and Malawi national team defender George Sangala.
The home fans gave the select side a standing ovation after they displayed top-class performance.
Eagles missed the services of their playmakers John ‘CJ’ Banda and Schumacher Kuwali currently in South Africa on trials.
Blue Eagles general manager Gabriel Chirwa, who turned into a football commentator during the match, could not hide his excitement with the Phalombe boys performance.
“The Phalombe boys had a good game that gave us a good test; we have really enjoyed their game. However, performance from our team was not good maybe because we just started training after a season break, but I am sure we will catch up before the league starts,” said Chirwa.
The police side scored first through Junior Malidadi in the first half while the hosts levelled in the 66th minute through a penalty scored by their captain Patrick Kambalame.
Phalombe Select also displayed some individual brilliance notably, defenders Francis Kabichi and Lameck Bauleni and goalkeeper Kondwani Gonani stood firm to deny Blue Eagles’ Phillip Masiye, Loti Kamanga, Malidadi and Wister Phiri.
After the game, Sangala said they wanted to prove a point that football is not only in cities or towns.
“Everybody thought our team being a non-league side playing against the third best team in the country’s top flight league would be a walk over.
“My boys gave their best and I thank them for putting up a spirited performance. We invite other Super League teams to come and play us for their pre-season training, but they should come prepared because we will give them a good run,” said Sangala whose blossoming career was cut short by an injury.
