Blue Eagles beat Rumphi United to go top

After a difficult campaign last season, Blue Eagles have started the 2022- 23 season on high after winning two consecutive games with a clean sheet.

The Eagles defeated rookies Rumphi United 2-0 at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe Sunday, just a week after they beat Mafco 1-0 at Chitowe Stadium.

Gilbert Chirwa opened the scoring after 13 minutes when he headed in a Macdonald Lameck corner kick before John Malidadi Junior doubled the lead with five minutes to the break after good work by Schumacher Kuwali.

The win means Eagles have displaced Red Lions at the summit of the log table with six points from two matches.

But the Zomba-based soldiers have descended to position six with four points after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Karonga United at Balaka Stadium on Saturday.

For Rumphi, it was a third consecutive defeat in the league after they also lost 1-0 to Silver Strikers at Silver Stadium on Saturday.

However, the rookies lost the opening match 2-0 to fellow rookies Dedza Dynamos at Rumphi Stadium in their league debut match last week.

In post-match interview, Eagles Assistant Coach Christopher Sibale said the victory was a morale booster for the Area 30 side.

“We made a plan to settle quickly but it was not easy as they gave us a tough run. It is always difficult to play against newly promoted teams,” Sibale said.

Taking his turn, Rumphi Coach Gilbert Chirwa said his troops were demoralised by poor officiation in two matches in Lilongwe.

“It is bad for us to return to Rumphi without a point but the referees have been biased towards Lilongwe teams. It was the same case against Silver,” Chirwa said.

In other matches Sunday, Kamuzu Barracks came from behind to earn a point against Mighty Tigers at Civo Stadium.

Yamikani Thole gave Tigers the lead in the 14th minute but Zelliat Nkhoma equalised after the 28 minutes.

At Balaka Stadium, Dedza and Karonga also played out to a 1-1 draw.

Josiah Duwa netted for Karonga after eight minutes but Clement Nyondo haunted his former club to score the equaliser in 78th minute.

Ekwendeni Hammers and Mafco also shared the spoils after a 2-2 draw at Mzuzu Stadium.

Ghanaian striker Michael Tetteh scored a brace whereas Zikani Sichinga and Paul Ndlovu were on target for the Salima-based soldiers.

At Mpira Stadium, the match between Sable Farming and TN Stars ended goal-less.