A chance to climb the table awaits in Zomba as Ekhaya FC take on Red Lions on Sunday, with the Cowboys targeting a breakthrough away from home against a side yet to taste defeat on their own turf this season.
Both teams are tied on 21 points after 16 matches, with Ekhaya occupying eighth place and Red Lions ninth. With Masters FC and Chitipa United dropping points, victory could provide either side with an opportunity to climb the standings.
For the hosts, home advantage remains a major strength. Despite managing just one win in their last seven matches, the Reds are unbeaten at home this season, with all five of their victories coming on their own turf.
That record presents another stern test for the Cowboys, who are determined to change their fortunes on the road.
Interim Coach Fundi Akidu acknowledges Ekhaya’s struggles away from home but believes a change in approach could make the difference.
“These are different games. If you look at our record you will notice that we have struggled to perform well when playing away from home. However, football is unpredictable. We have spoken to the players and we simply need to change our approach to away games. I believe we will perform better this time.”
The Cowboys return to the newly renovated Zomba Stadium for only the second time, having faced Kamuzu Barracks at the venue during pre-season.
Ekhaya will also draw lessons from their first-leg meeting, which ended 1-1. The Cowboys dominated the opening stages but failed to sustain their early influence as Red Lions grew into the contest and took control as the match progressed.
This time, Akidu’s men will need to maintain their intensity and concentration throughout the encounter if they are to secure maximum points.
Team news
Ekhaya will be without: Happy Mphepo (knee), James Lumbe (ankle) Levie Mnyenyembe (ankle), Hadji James (ankle), Solom Muhannad (knee), Isaiah Nyirenda (ankle), Hermas Masinja (two yellow cards).
Chimwemwe Chunga returns to the squad after serving a one-match suspension for yellow-card accumulation.
Ekhaya FC away squad
The Cowboys make the trip to Zomba with the following players:
Clever Mkungula, Joshua Waka, Joe Macdonald, Samuel Rukura, Charles Mafaiti, Andrew Lameck, Alick Lungu, Aubrey Simbi, Francis Chimbayo, Vincent Salawira, Moses Banda, Joseph Saiwa, John Banda, Kenneth Mwale, Blessings Malinda, Alfred Chizinga, Christopher Kumwembe, Wongani Kaponya, Allen Chihana, John Mchema and Sholigah Stambuli.
Matchday access
* Open Stand: MK4,000
* VIP: MK10,000
How to follow
* FIFA+
* Official Ekhaya FC social media platforms
For the Cowboys, Sunday offers an opportunity to rewrite their away narrative and turn a closely contested battle for league positions into a valuable step forward in the campaign.
