National Sports

Eagles bemoan Airtel Top 8 defence ineligibility

Blue Eagles coach DeKlerk Msakakuona has described his team’s ineligibility to defend the 2019 edition of Airtel Top 8 as a painful and unfortunate upshot.

The Malawi Police Service (MPS) sponsored outfit has found itself out contention for the competition after falling out of the required top-eight bracket in the 16-team Super League as they settled for an unimpressive 11th position with 35 points from 30 games, 33 points behind eventual league winners Nyasa Big Bullets, who have a game to play.

Msakakuona; We will not defend

This is the first time in eight years that Eagles have finished outside the top-eight. In 2010, they took 10th place in the league. 

“It is very painful that we will just take off the Airtel crown without having an opportunity to defend it,” Msakakuona said yesterday. “However, we accept the reality that we will not be able to defend the cup.”

He attributed their failure to be in the top-eight to laxity in the TNM Super League second round where they won only two of their 15 games. They also had six draws and seven losses. In the first round, the Area 30 side managed seven wins, two draws and six defeats.

Football Association of Malawi (FAM) competitions and media director Gomezgani Zakazaka yesterday said it is sad to have the defending champions out of contention, but insisted that Eagles just have to accept the reality on the ground.

“Airtel Top 8 is for the best eight Super League teams as the name indicates. Being outside that bracket shows Eagles have not been among the best this season. It is really very unfortunate to see them out of contention,” he said.

Meanwhile, teams qualified for 2019 Airtel Top 8 are Bullets, Be Forward Wanderers, Silver Strikers, Civil Sporting, Masters Security, Kamuzu Barracks, Karonga United and Mzuni FC.

Eagles won the Airtel crown six months ago to end their six-year cup drought after beating Bullets 1-0 in the final at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

Related Articles

Back to top button