FIRST HOME LOSS FOR MALEMBE

A Struggling Eagles side became the first Super league team this season to record a victory over Malembe at home.

Forest Rangers yesterday suffered a 2-1 defeat to Green Eagles after they (Green Eagles) failed to record a single victory in their last three matches.

Some would say the two back to back wins could have gotten to Ian Bakala boys’ heads and they could have walked into this match counting their chicks before the hatched.

8 minutes into the match, Daniel Mutshinemu made a wrong call and hacked Ernest Mbewe in the box and the referee was not slow at pointing to the penalty spot. Colins Mulenga was handed the ball but Hosea Silwimba and he made not mistake at beating Mutshinemu who dived in the right direction but missed the ball by a milli-second.

The lead was extended in the 27^th minute when Ernest Mbewe shot a cracker of a goal to the roof of the net which went out, leaving defenders Cedric Djeugoue, Billy Mutale and Dieugo Apanane stunned.

This forced Bakala and his technical bench to make an early substitute and it was Joe W Banda who was sacrificed for striker Thomas Chideu in the 33^rd minute of the first half.

By the half time break Forest was down 2 nill.

Seven minutes into the second half, the substitute Chideu, wiped in a powerful long range shot from near the center line, scoring what would be a contender for the goal of the season, leaving Munyikwa no chance to react, as he thought the ball was going over the net, pulling one back for the home team.

This now makes it two out of two for Chideu and he has had to come off the bench in both matches.

But unfortunately, Malembe couldn’t get a second despite the few chances they created after Chideu’s goal.

Eagles held their own to collect their first three points after 270 minutes played in their last 3 matches.

In a post-match interview, Bakala said he knew the coming in of Chideu would get them a goal.

“I think Chideu came in well and we knew he was going to score, but he just needs more game time and we will give it to him in the coming game.”

Forest Rangers will date current log leaders Power Dynamos at Arthur Davies Stadium this coming weekend on the 26th November, 2022.

This drop in points brings Forest down from 3^rd to 5^th Position on goals difference with 24 points.