Twimepoki Mangani
Lilongwe, August 14, Mana: New Interim Coach for Bangwe All Stars, Joseph Kamwendo has expressed satisfaction with the team’s current form having overseen two games in the TNM Super League.
After beating Mighty Tigers 1-0 in his first game on 8 August, Kamwendo faced a daunting task on the road to Blue Eagles who are in the relegation zone, on Sunday at Nankhaka Stadium in Lilongwe.
Blue Eagles shocked Bangwe All Stars with a 4th minute goal after McDonald Lameck’s midfield pass fell for Schumacher Kuwali who paced past the Bangwe defenders to beat goal keeper Elias Missi.
Kamwendo’s charges did not falter after the goal, they kept plunging numbers forward and then Robert Saizi had a moment of brilliance when he won the ball in midfield and drilled a 20 yard shot for the equaliser in the 13th minute.
Bangwe went on to punish Blue Eagles for being jittery in possession as Emmanuel Lino’s open header doubled the lead in the 37th minute; an assist from Yamikani Molongeni.
The Eagles looking to shake things up, made three substitutions before half time replacing Kelvin Tshibwabwa, Lankeni Mwale, and Franco Ndawa for Gilbert Chirwa, Trouble Banda and Wonder Jeremiah.
Blue Eagles’ hustle finally paid off when they got an equalizer in the 64th minute. Maxwell Gustava’s distant throw in caused a fracas header which forced Missi to tip the ball towards Richard Lapson who headed home.
The 2-2 result will be pleasing to the Bangwe camp more having salvaged a point on the road while Blue Eagles, the 2022 league runners up still have some soul searching to do to ensure they turn their season around.
Expressing his thoughts after the full time whistle Kamwendo, who is also the former Malawi national team captain cautioned his team (Bangwe) to execute unwavering concentration throughout games to avoid conceding easily.
“It was a game of two halves, we didn’t start the way we planned as we conceded early but we picked up and score two quick goals.”
“Even before I came, I knew Bangwe is a side that plays good football therefore I am happy to be here to encourage the boys to compete,” Kamwendo said.
On the other hand, Coach for Blue Eagles, Elia Kananji hailed his team for drastically improving their offensive play over the weeks while also calling them out for not being clinical in moments against Bangwe.
Kananji added that he expected more than 6 additional minutes from referee Brighton Gwiricho because Bangwe used a lot of delaying tactics during the game.
After 17 games apiece Bangwe All Stars are 9th on the log table with 21 points while Blue Eagles are 14th with 17 points.
Mana/tm
