Ekhaya FC’s quest for a second away victory in the league
hit a stumbling block as they fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against a resolute
Kamuzu Barracks side on Saturday afternoon at Champion Stadium.
The decisive goal arrived at a critical moment, just before
the halftime whistle when Zeliat Nkhoma
pounced on a defensive lapse to bury a low strike from inside the area.
It was a blow that shifted the momentum and ultimately
shaped the tone of the second half.
The Cowboys began the match on the front foot, dictating
the tempo and enjoying a lion’s share of possession in the opening quarter.
Their ball circulation in midfield, orchestrated by Andrew Lameck, was crisp
and purposeful.
Lameck himself nearly put Ekhaya ahead with a well-struck
effort in the 20th minute, only to be denied by a sharp save from the Kamuzu
Barracks goalkeeper.
At the other end, Hastings Banda gave a warning of the
hosts' intent with a thunderous strike that tested Ekhaya’s keeper, reminding
everyone that Kamuzu Barracks remained a threat despite their deep defensive
setup.
The pattern of play became clear as the game wore on,
Kamuzu Barracks were content to defend in numbers and spring forward through
quick transitions or long-range efforts.
Ekhaya FC, in contrast, stuck to their methodical buildup,
trying to create chances through short passing and movement around the box.
However, for all their possession and territorial
dominance, the Cowboys struggled to find the cutting edge in the final third.
The soldiers’ compact, disciplined defending limited space
in the attacking zone, forcing Ekhaya to shoot from distance or play wide
crosses that were effectively dealt with.
In an attempt to shift the tide, Ekhaya head coach [Insert
Coach's Name if known] turned to his bench in the second half. Just past the
hour mark, Wongani Kaponya and Hermus Masinja were brought on for Hadji James
and Lovemore Mbeta, adding fresh legs and a bit more urgency to the midfield
battle.
Later, captain Innocent Msowoya made way for James Lumbe,
followed by the introduction of Chimwemwe Yassin for Clever Chikwata. The
changes brought renewed energy, and for the final 15 minutes, the pressure was
relentless from Ekhaya.
Wave after wave of attack was launched, but Kamuzu
Barracks, marshaled well at the back, threw bodies on the line and maintained
their shape. Ekhaya forced a few nervy moments in the dying stages, but the
final ball, be it the cross, through pass, or shot — lacked the precision
needed to break the deadlock.
While the scoreline favored the hosts, the performance from
Ekhaya FC showed resolve, control, and flashes of promise — albeit without the
clinical edge.
The team will take lessons from this encounter, especially
in finding solutions against low blocks and improving execution in the
attacking third.
What it means
This result sees both sides tied on 9 points after playing
5 games each. With their first win at
home The Soldiers sit fourth in the league standings while The Cowboys occupy
the fifth position due to goal difference.
Coach Enos Chatama post Kamuzu Barrack
“It was a game in which we controlled the proceedings. They
[Kamuzu Barracks] were playing long ball and we told the boys to defend
properly. We conceded a goal against the run of play at the dot of halftime.
It’s like a certain cancer in the team where by we conceding give away goals. It
was a game whereby the worst result could have been a draw but all in all some
mistakes cost us the game.”
Looking ahead
Following this disappointing outing, The Cowboys will now
shift their focus to their next match this
coming weekend as they are set to host Karonga United in the league.
