Amid captivating sights, fireworks and pomp, Chipiku Stores League leaders Blue Eagles were crowned champions of the FDH Bank Cup in front of a huge crowd at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe Sunday.
The Eagles wrote their own piece of history by becoming the first non-Super League side to lay their hands on the FDH Bank Cup trophy after beating TNM Super League defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 3-2 on post-match penalties.
The match ended goal-less in regulation time.
Ranken Mwale was the hero of the day when he scored the winning penalty.
Mwale kept his cool as he fired into the bottom corner to send Eagles’ fans into wild celebrations.
Before long, Eagles turned the facility into a parade ground.
No one could fault them, for not many people gave them a chance to achieve that feat against Bullets, who won a quadruple last season.
Mwale, Andrew Juvinala and Ganizani James scored their penalties for Eagles whereas Gomezgani Chirwa and Nickson Nyasulu scored for Bullets.
Eagles substitute Goalkeeper Joshua Waka was another hero when he saved two penalties from Precious Phiri and Babatunde Adepoju whereas Clyde Senanji smashed the goal post from the penalty spot.
Bullets’ custodian Richard Chimbamba also saved two penalties from Micium Mhone and Jacob Robert.
The FDH Bank Cup final defeat summed up a poor week for Bullets, after they were eliminated from the Caf Champions League following a 3-2 loss on aggregate against Zambia champions Red Arrows.
Against all odds, the Area 30-based police side proved that class is permanent but form is temporary.
Despite playing in the second-tier league, Eagles matched Bullets in many departments for the better part of the match.
However, Bullets were guilty of missing several scoring opportunities, especially in the first half. Eagles took time to settle as they misplaced passes for the better part of the first half.
Nigerian striker Babatunde, Ronald Chitiyo and Ephraim Kondowe had chances in the first half but failed to beat goalkeeper Brighton Munthali, who was voted player of the match.
On the other hand, Eagles striker Schumacher Kuwali, who was a thorn in Bullets’ flesh, hit the post from the edge of the box in the first half.
Five minutes into the second half, Bullets introduced Chikumbutso Salima for Chitiyo.
Towards the end of the match, Eagles pulled out Kuwali for Maxwell Mbewe.
But both teams failed to break the deadlock in regulation time.
The win over Bullets means Eagles have won two consecutive finals against them in six years, having beaten them 1-0 in the Airtel Top 8 Cup final in 2018.
A visibly delighted Eagles Coach Eliya Kananji felt his side deserved the victory.
“We worked hard to win the cup. The boys showed great character throughout the tournament and I am very excited with them,” Kananji said.
On his part, Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa rued missed chances.
“It was a match of high intensity. We had chances in the first half but failed to utilise our chances.
“In the second half, we sat back and allowed [them] to pressurise us. But congratulations to them for winning the competition,” Pasuwa said.
Along the way, Eagles defeated Silver Strikers (5-3 on post-match penalties), Santhe Admarc (4-2 on post-match penalties), Baka City (3-0) and Karonga United (2-0).
It was an incredible journey for them, more so because they won the competition with five clean sheets.
For emerging champions Eagles will pocket K35 million.
FDH Bank Managing Director Noel Mkulichi said this year’s tournament achieved its purpose.
“We watched one of the best finals but the best team on the day won. We believe that we have assisted everyone who has been part of the game. We believe we have achieved everything we wanted,” Mkulichi said.
Meanwhile, Moyale Barracks striker Emmanuel Allan has won the golden boot award after scoring nine goals this season.
He has set a new record in the competition as no player has scored nine goals since the inception of the competition in 2021.
In 2022, Babatunde won the golden boot award with five goals whereas Vincent Nyangulu scored four goals in the inaugural edition.
Last season, Hassan Kajoke won the same award with the same number of goals.
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