Ekhaya Reserve will be targeting a winning return to action when they host Mighty Wanderers Reserve in the opening fixture of the second round of the Finca ‘Mpira Uyake’ Southern Region Football Association (SRFA) Division One League this weekend.
The Cowboys enter the encounter looking to reclaim top spot after finishing the first round second on the table with 34 points from 15 matches, having suffered three defeats and recorded one draw.
Their final first-round outing ended in a goalless draw against QPL All Stars at Kamuzu Stadium, leaving the side determined to make a strong start to the second half of the campaign.
Head coach Russell Mwafulirwa said the break had given the team an opportunity to address weaknesses identified during the first round and prepare for the challenges ahead.
“The players are aware of what they are going to encounter because the second round is going to be tough. We are trying to prepare them so that they are ready for every game they play,” he said.
“We are going to continue from where we left off. From the way I see the players, I think they are ready to pick up from where we stopped in the previous round.”
The fixture presents Ekhaya with an opportunity to put pressure on the league leaders and strengthen their title challenge, while seventh-placed Wanderers Reserves will be looking to improve their position after registering five defeats and three draws in the first round.
Ekhaya forward Hastings Malinda is also targeting a strong second-round campaign as he pursues the league’s top-scorer award.Malinda, who scored at least nine goals in the first round, said preparations had gone well and vowed to maintain his scoring form.
“I scored many goals in the first round, at least nine, and I want to continue from where I stopped. I am targeting to finish as the top goal scorer at the end of the season,” he said.
The forward also reflected on the disappointment of last season, when Ekhaya came close to winning the title but fell short on the final day.
“Last season was very painful because we lost on the final day when we could see the medals and trophy in front of us. This time, it is our turn to lift the trophy,” Malinda said.
Meanwhile, Ekhaya have bolstered their reserve squad with the promotion of Depay Banda and Maxwell Simfukwe from the youth team as they seek to maintain their title challenge.
Simfukwe said he was ready to contribute to the team’s ambitions after impressing at youth level.
“I will do whatever it takes to help the team achieve its goals, and I promise to continue performing well as I was doing at the youth team,” he said.
Ekhaya will draw confidence from their first-round meeting with Wanderers Reserve, which they won 3-1 at the same venue. Yusuf Namtunga and Edison Chibalo were among the scorers, with the other goal coming through an own goal.
However, the Cowboys will be wary of their opponents, who beat them 3-2 in one of their meetings in 2025 before Ekhaya responded with a 3-1 victory in the return fixture.
With the title race entering a decisive phase, Ekhaya will be looking to turn their preparations into three points and begin the second round on a winning note.
