Ekhaya FC 0-1 Mighty Wanderers
Ekhaya FC recorded their first back to back defeats of the season following a 0-1 defeat to Mighty Wanderers on Sunday afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium.
Gaddie Chirwa struck a spectacular just after the interval, a long range that went on to decide what was a tightly contested top-of-the-table clash.
How it unfolded
The match kicked off with both teams knowing what was at stake, and the opening exchanges reflected that intensity.
The Nomads came out aggressively, pinning Ekhaya into their own half and forcing an early save from our goalkeeper in the 10th minute.
As the game progressed, both sides began to find rhythm in attack. Ekhaya responded with promising moves, including a close moment in the 27th minute when Hermas Masinja went down in the box in a duel but the referee waved play on, denying appeals for a penalty.
Wongani Kaponya gave the team a scare midway through the half after going down injured, but he was able to continue after treatment.
The breakthrough, however, remained elusive for both sides. Stanley Billiat came closest for Ekhaya just before the break, firing a free-kick narrowly over the bar after Kaponya was brought down by Wanderers’ Stanley Sanudi who received a yellow card, the second one in the tie after Missi’s booking, for the foul.
At halftime it was goalles, not reflecting truly to the reality of the contest. Coach Enos Chatama then made an early change at the break, bringing in James Lumbe for Chimwemwe Yassin.
But just nine minutes into the second half, Mighty Wanderers took the lead. Gaddie Chirwa unleashed a rocket from the wing to beat our keeper and put the visitors ahead.
In response, Ekhaya rang the changes, introducing Vincent Salawira and Clever Chikwata to inject fresh legs into the midfield and attack. Lovemore Mbeta also joined the fray in the 75th minute in place of Kaponya, as the home side chased an equaliser.
Despite a late surge and sustained pressure, The Cowboys couldn’t find the goal they needed. The Nomads held firm in defense and managed the closing minutes well, including three minutes of added time. 0-1 it finished.
What it means
Two straight defeats have not moved a lot of places down in the standings. After 12 games The Cowboys are on 20 points and fourth in the table. They match in points tally with third-placed Silver Strikers who have dislodged us with superior goal difference
Despite the winless streak, Ekhaya FC have so far proved to be solid at the back as they are yet to concede more than a goal in a single game so far in the league. All their four defeats this season have carried the 0-1 scoreline.
Chatama post Mighy Wanderers
“A narrow loss, seperated by a tactical mistake. We failed to adjust prior to that goal. All in all, it was a good game.
Next up
After two back to back defeats, The Cowboys will look to bounce back to winning ways when they play Moyale Barracks in a league fixture next weekend.
