* The Cowboys took the lead in the 38th minute from the penalty spot to rest the scores 1-0 at the halftime break
* Only for the Nomads to equalise four minutes after resumption through Mphatso Kamanga
* But just 10 minutes later, Allen Chihana restored the lead in the 59th and went on to jealously defend it to the end
By Duncan Mlanjira
In their first-ever appearance of the top flight league, Ekhaya FC managed to qualify for the Airtel Top 8 and have gone on to clinch it beating Mighty Wanderers 2-1 in the final this afternoon at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
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The Cowboys took the lead in the 38th minute from the penalty spot to rest the scores 1-0 at the halftime break only for the Nomads to equalise four minutes after resumption through Mphatso Kamanga.
But just 10 minutes later, Allen Chihana restored the lead in the 59th and went on to jealously defend it to the end to claim the coveted title and a K40 million prize money.
They have joined four other teams that have won the Airtel Top 8 since its inception in 2017 that include the most successful side, Nyasa Big Bullets (2021, 2023 2024 and 2025) — whom they ousted in the quarterfinals.
Wanderers won it in 2022, Blue Eagles in 2018 and Silver Strikers as the inaugural champions in 2017.
As the most successful team with four Airtel Top 8 titles, the Bullets have appeared in the Airtel Top 8 final seven times in which they lost two — to Blue Eagles 0-1 in 2018 and 3-5 on post-match penalties to Wanderers in 2022.
For coach Enos Chatama, their journey has already surpassed expectations by eliminating defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets on penalties before beating Karonga United 2-1 in the semi-final.
Ekhaya’s elimination of Bullets showed tactical discipline and composure, while their semi-final victory over Karonga again demonstrated their ability to take chances when it matters most.
Having appeared in all competitions, the Nomads reached the final expected to utilise their experience, pedigree and confidence as reigning top flight league champions — but could not break the resilient Cowboys.
Adding another interesting dimension to this final was the involvement of the Mpinganjira family as Mighty Wanderers FC Limited president is Thom Mpinganjira while Ekhaya is a side supported by his son, William Mpinganjira.
William publicly backed Ekhaya to win the final, saying the pressure was on Wanderers while his father praised his son’s investment in football and described the encounter as unique in Malawian football history.
Thom Mpinganjira also acknowledged the threat posed by Ekhaya’s young squad, describing the final as potentially one of Wanderers’ toughest matches of the season.
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