Frank Phiri strikes as Creck come from behind to snatch draw against Eagles

Midfielder Frank Phiri was at the heart of the action as Creck Sporting Club came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Blue Eagles on Sunday afternoon at Aubrey Dimba Stadium in Mchinji.

Lanken Mwale gave Eagles an early lead just five minutes into the game, but their advantage was short-lived. Phiri equalized in the 12th minute, ensuring the spoils were shared in what proved to be an entertaining encounter.

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The draw meant both teams missed opportunities to improve their league positions. Blue Eagles failed to leapfrog Ekhaya FC into 6th place, while Creck Sporting couldn’t climb two places up the table.

Blue Eagles remain 7th with 25 points from 18 games, while Creck Sporting sit 11th with 21 points from the same number of matches, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Blue Eagles started brightly, looking to end their poor run of form since beating FCB Nyasa Big Bullets on 27 July. Their positive start paid dividends when Lanken Mwale opened the scoring with a spectacular long-range strike. After receiving a pass from Christian Maluwa, Mwale spotted goalkeeper Emmance Nyirenda off his line and found the net with a perfectly placed effort.

Eagles pressed for a second goal and created four good chances, but Creck Sporting’s defense held firm. However, the visitors’ dominance was halted when Frank Phiri restored parity with an excellent strike that beat Elias Missi in the Eagles goal.

Creck had opportunities to take the lead before halftime, but Patrick Mupanzi dragged his shot wide and Patrick Macheso was denied by the goalkeeper. The first half ended with the teams locked at 1-1.

Both sides emerged from the break determined to find a winner, but neither could break the deadlock. Ramadan Ntafu fired wide early in the second half for Eagles, while Creck forced the home side to defend a dangerous free-kick delivery from Dalitso Nahipa.

Eagles coach Declerk Msakakuona made triple substitutions, bringing on Davie Malenguka, Webster Mzunda, and Checkson Alliz for Christian Maluwa, Micium Mhone, and Trouble Banda respectively.

The best chance of the second half fell to Creck when Stain Patrick made a brilliant run to the edge of the box before cutting the ball back to Jackson Beza, whose shot was deflected for a corner that Eagles managed to clear.

Eagles won a promising free-kick near the 18-yard box after Edward Jauma fouled Laurent Banda. Lanken Mwale stepped up and struck a powerful effort, but Emmance Nyirenda was equal to it, parrying the ball away for a corner that Creck successfully defended.

The draw extended both teams’ winless streaks. Blue Eagles have now failed to win in their last five matches since defeating Bullets, recording three defeats and two draws. Their recent results include losses to Kamuzu Barracks (3-0), Chitipa United (1-0), and Dedza Dynamos (1-0), plus draws against Mzuzu City Hammers and now Creck Sporting.

Creck Sporting’s struggles continue as they remain without a victory in their last five games, managing four draws and one defeat. Their last win came against Mzuzu City Hammers on 13 July. Since then, they have lost to Karonga United and drawn with Chitipa United, Mighty Wanderers, Civil Service United, and Blue Eagles.

Despite both teams creating chances throughout the 90 minutes, neither could find the crucial second goal. The point keeps both sides in mid-table mediocrity as they look to rediscover their winning form in upcoming fixtures.