Ekhaya FC narrowly lost 1-0 to FCB Nyasa
Big Bullets in a tightly contested TNM Super League of Malawi encounter on
Sunday afternoon at Kamuzu Stadium.
A second half strike from Adepoju Babatunde
in the 56th minute, decided what was an intense physical contest.
What happened
The match kicked off under high
anticipation with both sides coming into the clash looking for crucial league
points.
It was the visitors, Bullets, who started
brighter, controlling early possession and nearly going ahead in the 8th minute
through Henry Chiwaya, who first headed over and later shot tamely at the
keeper from inside the box.
As the intensity picked up, tempers flared
in the 17th minute, prompting referee Michael Mwambyale to intervene multiple
times. One confrontation resulted in a yellow card for Bullets’ forward Adepoju
Babatunde, while head coach Peter Mponda also found himself cautioned minutes
later for protesting a refereeing decision.
Looking to shift momentum, Ekhaya coach
Enos Chatama made a bold tactical change in the 20th minute, bringing on
Vincent Salawira for Safton Chintokoma.
The
adjustment saw Ekhaya grow into the game, with Hermas Masinja making an
impressive solo run before laying it off for striker Chikwata, whose effort was
ruled offside.
The match remained on a knife edge as both
teams traded attacks. Though the game saw end-to-end action, especially in the
final minutes of the half, neither side could break the deadlock until the
break.
The second period resumed with similar
intensity. Ekhaya were dealt a blow in the 52nd minute when captain Innocent
Msowoya was stretchered off and replaced by Lovemore Mbeta.
Moments later, substitute Salawira was
booked for a foul, continuing the heated nature of the contest.
In the 56th minute, the breakthrough came.
Bullets capitalized on a set-piece opportunity, with Chiwaya winninh a freekick
and executing a pinpoint delivery into the
box, where Babatunde rose highest to head home the opener to leave us trailing.
Ekhaya responded positively, with Stanley
Billiat forcing a fine save from Bullets’ keeper Innocent Nyasulu from a
freekick in the 62nd minute. The home side earned a corner but failed to
convert.
Looking to extend their lead, Bullets then made
their first change, introducing Maxwell Phodo for Hassan Kajoke. Ekhaya,
pushing for an equalizer, responded in the 76th minute with Kesten Simbi
replacing Chikwata, prompting Wongani Kaponya to move centrally in a reshuffle
up front.
Despite their efforts, Ekhaya struggled to
carve out clear chances in the closing stages. Bullets saw out the game, making
late changes as Wongani Lungu and Lloyd Aaron went off injured, replaced by
Chawanangwa Gumbo and Ernest Petro, respectively.
With
no time left on the clock, the referee brought proceedings to an end,
confirming what was our third defeat of the season with all of them having 1-0 score
line.
What it means
Nothing changes for The Cowboys in terms of
position in the league standings following the result. After 11 games now Ekhaya
have their points tally at 20 points, 7 points behind league leaders.
What coach Enos Chatama said
“We lacked only to break on the counter, we
could have beaten Bullets on a counter. We defended very well but we are
lacking quality to take the ball through the break.”z
Looking ahead
