Green Eagles Football Club are aiming for revenge against ABSA Cup defending champions Red Arrows as they try to reach the semifinals of the 2025 competition. The Eagles booked their spot in the quarterfinals after a 4-2 penalty shootout win over National Division One side Prison Leopards, following a goalless draw at Nkoloma Stadium on Sunday.

The Choma-based team showed resilience throughout the match, creating several chances but failing to break down a determined Prison Leopards defense.

Green Eagles will face last season’s champions, Red Arrows, again in this year’s quarterfinals, setting up an exciting clash. Hachipuka believes his players are more motivated and better prepared to fight for a place in the semifinals.

“Our target is to go beyond quarterfinal. Previous season we were knocked out by Red Arrows in the quarterfinal, so this season we want to pay back to the sponsors by going beyond the quarterfinal,” said Hachipuka.

In the league, Green Eagles have struggled. They have won just once in 12 matches played in 2025, with their only victory coming last month against already-relegated Indeni FC. As a result, they sit just four points above the relegation zone and are under pressure to turn their season around.

However, Hachipuka remains positive that the morale-boosting win over Prison Leopards will lift the team ahead of their midweek Super League fixture against struggling Zanaco Football Club.

“It has really motivated us so going into that game it’s a motivation,” he added.

Green Eagles will now shift their focus to Wednesday’s league match against Zanaco Football Club, set for Sunset Stadium in Lusaka.

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