Blessings for Ekhaya: Cowboys thump Chitipa to move to sixth

Ekhaya FC delivered a dominant first-half display, scoring three unanswered goals to dismantle Chitipa United 3-0 at Mpira Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Despite a spirited second-half fightback from the visitors, the Cowboys’ early blitz proved decisive in securing a comfortable victory.

James Lumbe, Blessings Malinda, and Emmanuel Savieli each found the net within the opening 40 minutes, effectively settling the contest before halftime. Chitipa United emerged a transformed side after the break, producing an improved performance that stifled Ekhaya’s attacking threat, but the damage had already been done.

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COWBOYS COME OUT FIRING

Ekhaya signaled their attacking intentions from the opening whistle. Levison Mnyenyembe squandered two early opportunities within the first ten minutes, before Trouble Kajani tested the home defense with Chitipa’s first meaningful attempt that sailed over the crossbar.

The breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute when Lumbe converted after excellent build-up play from Emmanuel Savieli, giving the hosts a deserved lead.

Seven minutes later, Malinda doubled the advantage with a moment of individual brilliance. The midfielder weaved past several defenders before unleashing a powerful strike that left the goalkeeper helpless. Manager Enos Chatama immediately, introduced Wongani Kaponya for Matamando Matchipitsa in the 33rd minute.

However, the substitution stemedthe tide. In the 39th minute, Savieli added a third following exceptional work from Lumbe, leaving Chitipa United shell-shocked heading into the interval.

VISITORS RESPOND BUT LACK CUTTING EDGE

Chitipa United emerged from the dressing room with renewed purpose. Manager Ikwanga made a triple substitution, introducing Marley Kasongo, Raphael Nkhoma, and Daniel Boston for Chembezi Chihoma, Kajani, and Lamson Lukali. The changes had an immediate impact, with the visitors controlling larger spells of possession and creating several presentable opportunities.

Kasongo thought he had reduced the deficit just after the hour mark, only to see his effort ruled out for offside. The visitors’ afternoon went from bad to worse when Mabuchi Msiska was rushed to hospital following an injury, with Stain Matengere coming on as his replacement.

Godfrey Kwiyokwa blazed an opportunity over the bar as Chitipa continued to press for a consolation goal. Ekhaya responded with their own changes, bringing on Samuel Rukura and Clever Chikwata for Mnyenyembe and Savieli, before late substitutions saw Innocent Msowoya and Fanizo Mwansambo replace Moses Banda and Lumbe.

Despite their second-half improvement, Chitipa couldn’t breach a resolute Ekhaya defense, and the hosts held firm to secure all three points.

CONTRASTING REACTIONS

Ekhaya head coach Ennos Chatama expressed satisfaction with the result but revealed his frustration with aspects of his team’s performance.

“It’s positive that we’ve secured a commanding victory, but I’m not entirely pleased with how we played today. The players didn’t execute what we worked on during training. We prepared extensively for this match, but the execution fell short of expectations,” Chatama admitted.

Chitipa United boss Kondwa Ikwanga attributed his side’s sluggish start to travel fatigue.

“It’s a very disappointing result. We gifted them goals in the first half, which I believe was down to fatigue. We arrived in Blantyre very late yesterday, so the players were exhausted. At least in the second half, we showed what we’re capable of,” Ikwanga explained.

The victory lifts Ekhaya FC to sixth place in the standings with 36 points from 23 matches—11 wins, three draws, and nine defeats. The Cowboys are now firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish.

Chitipa United remain ninth on the table with 32 points from 25 matches, having registered eight wins, eight draws, and nine defeats. They’ll need to regroup quickly to avoid being dragged into the relegation conversation.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Ekhaya will look to build on this momentum as they continue their push toward the top four, while Chitipa United must address their travel arrangements and first-half vulnerabilities if they’re to climb the table in the closing weeks of the campaign.