Maresca: FA Cup exit a big SHAME

Chelsea manager, Enzo Maresca, has called their FA Cup exit on Saturday as a big shame after the team lost 2-1 to Brighton and Hove Albion in a late kick off.

The Blues went ahead as early as fifth minute when the hosts' goalkeeper, Bart Verbruggen, failed to handle a Cole Palmer's ball to guide the ball into his own net but Georginio Rutter levelled 8 minutes later before Kaoru Mitoma netted a second half winner.

Speaking after the defeat, Maresca, said with no doubt, the win is shameful and leaves Chelsea with a tough work to fight in the Premier League and the UEFA Conference League.

“Being out of the FA Cup, it’s a BIG SHAME for all of us at Chelsea. No doubts."

“If there is something positive, we can be focused on the Premier League and the Conference League. Hopefully we can continue our journey there.” He said.

Waka dominates FDH Bank awards nominations

Blue Eagles goalkeeper, Joshua Waka, could be a big winner in the FDH Bank Cup awards of the 2024 edition after being nominated in all categories lined up for the prize presentation.

Waka has been nominated for the player of the season award alongside his teammate, Paul Master, and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets' forward, Babatunde Adepoju.

He is also on the best goalkeeper award alongside Richard Chimbamba of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Olyce Nkhwazi of Moyale Barracks and also comes as a discovery of the tournament with teammate, Andrew Juvinala and Rafick Kabwazi of Lube Masters.

Waka was instrumental in Blue Eagles' Cup win after saving two penalties against favourites, Silver Strikers, before coming of the bench in the final to save two penalties in 4-2 win over FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.

Chinjoka: We will transform Football in Central Region

The newly elected chairperson of the Central Region Football Association, Goodall Chinjoka, says the central region has been behind in terms of football in the past years but has made an assurance of a total transformation.

He said this on Saturday after defeating the immediate past chair, Austin Ajawa, 23-12 during elections held on Saturday and said people really know that he is the one to change things.

He said the Central region has no FAM office and also the technical center just as the north and South but has promised to change things in his administration.

"Let me assure you that with the support i am getting from our President FH [Fleetwood Haiya], we will transform everything. Ndikukuuzani pa ground payaka moto." Said Chinjoka.

He will be deputised by Abel Chiumia, Antonio Manda and Wales Kazonde will be his General Secretary and vice respectively, Hastings Chilunga is the treasurer with Bwanali Missie as a vice

Kaliati nominated for another individual award

Mighty Wanderers midfielder, Isaac Kaliati, has a chance get 9 individual awards only for the 2024 season after earning two nominations for two different awards in the past two days.

Chair was nominated for the player of the year award for the FAM awards on Friday before being nominated for the player of the tournament award in the Castel Challenge Cup.

He will have to compete with his fellow teammates, Clement Nyondo and also Chancy Mtete who was at Mzuzu City Hammers last season.

In the same tournament, Mtete will fight with Precious Masamba of Panthers and William Thole of Wanderers for the best goalie while Masamba has been nominated for the discovery of the season alongside teammate, Geoffrey Sumani and MMF Marine forward, Isaac Kondowe.

Following an impressive performance in 2024, Kaliati has already won 7 individual awards and that can be extended as he is a favourite to win TNM Super League's best midfielder and best player.

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