The 2026 Airtel Top 8 yesterday roared into action with stalemates in two quarter-final first-leg clashes at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
In a late kick-off, holders FCB Nyasa Bullets were held to a one-all draw by Ekhaya FC while an early fixture involving Blue Eagles and Civil Service United at the same venue ended goalless.
The development means a clear picture of teams that will progress to the semi-finals will be known after the quarter-final second leg encounters.
Yesterday, Bullets’ new coach Zambian Wedson Nyirenda appeared to be on the right path to a good start at the People’s Team when George Chaomba broke the deadlock just seconds into the second half.
in action against
Ekhaya.
| Courtesy of FAM
However, everything went haywire in the 70th minute when Ekhaya restored parity through Allen Chihana’s strike.
“This result is not good for us. The chances we created in the first half could have sealed the game but we missed,” moaned Bullets assistant coach Heston Munthali.
“In the second half, we told the boys to up the game but though we scored earlier, we were not comfortable on the ball, as we easily lost the ball.”
On his part, Ekhaya coach Enos Chatama said: “We told the boys that the game was going to be tough playing against the defending champions. We were the underdogs but we did our best to hold our ground. this is a fair result.”
Bullets started their title-defence bid strongly and could have been 3-0 up before the break but forwards Hassan Kajoke, Wongani Lungu and George Chaomba lacked composure in front of goal.
Just after 10 minutes, Chaomba weaved his way through Ekhaya defence to set up Lungu, whose effort missed the target.
In the 17th minute, Kajoke saw an advancing Chaomba and played him a good ball but could not get the ball past khaya goalkeeper Clever Mkungula.
Few minutes later, Kajoke again disappointed Bullets fans, heading wide a clear chance unmarked after Chaomba’s wonderful cross in the box.
Ekhaya nearly shocked Bullets three minutes before recess but goalkeeper Innocent Nyasulu parried away Isaiah Nyirenda’s thunderous shot for the first half to end goalless.
Bullets started the second half with all guns blazing and it was no surprise to see them breaking the deadlock just seconds into the stanza as Chaomba connected home Maxwell Phodo’s pass.
After a few offensive exchanges, Ekhaya equalised in the 70th minute through Allen Chihana, who slotted it in after Bullets defenders failed to clear Chimwemwe Chunga’s cross.
In an earlier match at the same venue, Blue Eagles and Civil Service played out a goalless draw, a result that did not reflect the entertaining nature of the clash that saw both sides creating many scoring opportunities
Eagles had two clear chances but marksman Tony Viyuyi and Webster Mzunda failed to make good use of them.
On the other hand, Civil Service United also fluffed off opportunities. Their attacker Khumbo Mhone was denied by the post deep into the game while midfielder Righteous Banda messed up a big chance after being well-fed by Joseph Zimba in the box.
Blue Eagles coach Deklerk Msakakuona admitted the result was fair to both teams.
“Our opponents dominated the first half while we played better in the second stanza with numerous opportunities.But overall, the draw is a fair outcome,” he said.
Nevertheless, Civil Service coach Abbas Makawa described the outcome as not a true reflection of the game, arguing his team played better.
“We controlled the proceedings by creating many chances. It was painful to see our chances going up the smoke,” he said.
