Blue Eagles’ reign as FDH Bank Cup champions came to an emphatic end on their home turf, as city rivals Silver Strikers delivered a commanding 3-0 victory at Nankhaka Ground. Nixon Mwase opened the scoring with a powerful first-half header before Ernest Petro and Emmanuel Allan completed the rout.
The Central Bankers will now face the winner of the Civil Service United versus Mchinji Villa FC quarterfinal as they pursue their second FDH Bank Cup final appearance. Since winning the inaugural tournament in 2021, Silver Strikers have endured heartbreak in this competition—eliminated by Dedza Dynamos in 2022, Moyale Barracks in 2023, and most painfully, losing on penalties to Blue Eagles in last season’s final.
For Blue Eagles, the defeat represents a bitter pill to swallow. Last season’s triumph, achieved while competing in the Chipiku Central Region League, now feels like a distant memory as they exit the competition in humiliating fashion.
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Silver Strikers head coach Peter Mgangira, despite refusing to label it a revenge mission, clearly had a point to prove. He deployed Andrew Joseph, Binwell Katinji, and Zebron Kalima as his attacking trident, while the experienced partnership of Nixon Mwase and Maxwell Paipi anchored the defense.
Blue Eagles boss Declerk Msakakuona named a strong lineup featuring seasoned campaigners Micium Mhone, John CJ Banda, Gilbert Chirwa, Jacob Robert, and Ganizani James, confident they could defend their crown.
Blue Eagles started brightly. Just two minutes in, Gilbert Chirwa’s cross-field pass found Laurent Banda, who beat Macdonald Lameck down the left before being fouled. CJ Banda’s subsequent free-kick found Jacob Robert, but his header sailed over the crossbar.
The momentum quickly shifted. Silver Strikers appealed for an early penalty when Zebron Kalima went down in the box following Macdonald Lameck’s throw-in, but referee David Chinoko waved play on.
Andrew Joseph became a constant menace to the Blue Eagles defense. His duel with Sankhani Mkandawire in the 9th minute ended with a header comfortably saved by goalkeeper Elias Missi. Five minutes later, Joseph collected Lameck’s pass, beat Mkandawire again, but saw his left-footed effort cannon off the right post.
The physical nature of the derby led to several stoppages. Micium Mhone and Gilbert Chirwa both required medical attention, while Ganizani James became the first player booked for a clumsy challenge on Andrew Joseph.
The breakthrough arrived courtesy of a well-executed set piece. Nixon Mwase rose highest to meet Macdonald Lameck’s long throw-in, powering a header past Elias Missi, who could only watch as the ball nestled in the back of the net.
Silver Strikers took a slender 1-0 lead into the break, but there was a palpable sense that more goals would follow.
The Bankers emerged with renewed purpose, immediately forcing a corner that Missi dealt with confidently. Sankhani Mkandawire received the game’s second yellow card for a poor challenge on Lameck.
Blue Eagles looked increasingly weary. The experienced legs of Mhone, Banda, and Chirwa appeared heavy, though Banda and Chirwa still produced moments of quality. Msakakuona withdrew Mhone for Lanken Mwale in the 54th minute, hoping for fresh impetus.
Instead, disaster struck three minutes later. Ernest Petro doubled Silver’s advantage, connecting brilliantly with a long pass from Nixon Mwase to make it 2-0.
By the 57th minute, Blue Eagles appeared to have conceded defeat, while Silver Strikers continued to dominate. Msakakuona made a double substitution, introducing Andre Mapemba and Webster Mzunda for Tonic Viyuyu and John Banda. Mgangira responded with three changes of his own, bringing on Stain Davie, Chinsisi Maonga, and Chikondi Kamanga.
The knockout blow came from substitute Emmanuel Allan, who made an instant impact. Capitalizing on a defensive error, Allan rounded the Blue Eagles goalkeeper and calmly slotted home to seal a comprehensive 3-0 victory.
Silver Strikers’ dominance extends beyond this match. They have lost just two of their last 26 matches across all competitions—one in 17 league fixtures, one in four Airtel Cup matches, and maintaining perfect records in both the FDH Bank Cup (three games) and CAF Champions League (two games). Only FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have managed to defeat them during this remarkable run.
The Bankers face their next stern test on Sunday when they travel to Blantyre to face Big Bullets in the TNM Super League.
ANALYSIS: Blue Eagles’ goal dry up demands urgent attention
Blue Eagles’ struggles have become increasingly alarming. They haven’t won a game in regular time against elite league opposition since defeating FCB Nyasa Big Bullets in July—a shocking statistic for the defending cup champions.
The evidence is damning. Blue Eagles have suffered four defeats in recent weeks: 3-0 to Kamuzu Barracks, 1-0 to Chitipa United, 1-0 to Dedza Dynamos, and now 3-0 to Silver Strikers. They’ve managed just three draws in seven matches against Super League teams, scoring a meager two goals across those seven encounters. Their goal-scoring woes extend further, with only three goals in their last eight matches against top-flight opposition.
This attacking impotence has dragged Eagles down to 7th place in the Super League standings. Most tellingly, they’ve scored the fewest goals among the current top eight teams, managing just 18 goals in 18 games—a record that makes for painful reading for their supporters.
The departure of Shumacker Kuwali to AD Vlanculo in Mozambique has created a void that remains unfilled. The striker’s absence has left a gaping hole in Eagles’ attacking arsenal, one that has proven impossible to fill. Meanwhile, promising striker James Stambuli has been conspicuously absent from the squad for approximately two months. Initially sidelined by injury, Stambuli now finds himself nowhere near the starting eleven or even the substitutes’ bench, raising questions about his future at the club.
Against Silver Strikers, Tonic Viyuyu led the line flanked by Laurent Banda and Micium Mhone, but neither of the wide men completed the match. By the final whistle, Eagles deployed a makeshift front three consisting of veteran Lanken Mwale, Laurent Banda, and Andre Mapemba. This aging, reshuffled attack proved utterly incapable of breaking down Silver’s formidable defensive organization. The lack of pace, movement, and clinical finishing was evident throughout, with Eagles creating few genuine scoring opportunities despite their desperation.
Unless Declerk Msakakuona finds a solution to his team’s scoring crisis, Blue Eagles’ season threatens to unravel completely. Whether through tactical adjustment, personnel changes, or the reintegration of Stambuli, Eagles desperately need a goal-scoring remedy—and they need it fast. The clock is ticking, and with each passing week, their situation grows more precarious. The question now is whether Msakakuona can arrest this alarming decline before it’s too late.
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