Football fans will turn their attention to Bingu National Stadium this Sunday as Ekhaya FC and Mighty Wanderers meet in what promises to be an exciting Airtel Top 8 final, with history, pride and a K40 million prize at stake.
The final brings together two clubs at different stages of their football journeys. For Ekhaya, this is a historic first appearance in the Airtel Top 8 final, achieved in their maiden participation in the competition. For Wanderers, it is another opportunity to add to their cup success and reclaim the trophy they last won in 2022.
Ekhaya’s Road to the Final
Ekhaya began their campaign with a 1-1 draw against defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets before producing one of the biggest upsets of the competition in the return leg.
The two sides again played out a 1-1 draw at Mpira Stadium, leaving the tie level at 2-2 on aggregate. Ekhaya then held their nerve to win 7-6 on post-match penalties and eliminate the defending champions.
That victory sent Ekhaya into the semi-final against Karonga United, where they once again showed composure under pressure.
Ekhaya defeated Karonga 2-1 at Silver Stadium, with Allen Chihana opening the scoring in first-half stoppage time before Chimwemwe Chunga doubled the lead. Karonga pulled one back through Lennox Kiwambe from the penalty spot, but Ekhaya held on to reach their first-ever Airtel Top 8 final.
Wanderers’ Road to the Final
Mighty Wanderers’ journey has been built on experience and resilience.
The Nomads started the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Creck Sporting, courtesy of goals from Blessings Mwalilino and Lameck Mithi in the first leg. They then secured their semi-final place after a 1-1 draw in the return match, progressing 3-1 on aggregate.
In the semi-final, Wanderers faced a tougher test against Blue Eagles.
The Nomads took an early lead through Lameck Mithi’s fourth-minute penalty, but Blue Eagles equalised through Christian Maluwa, also from the spot, in the 27th minute.
With neither side able to find the winner in regulation time, the match went into penalties, where Wanderers prevailed 5-4.
Isaac Kaliati, Muhammad Sulumba, Emmanuel Nyirenda, Promise Kamwendo and Alex Kambilinya all converted their spot-kicks to send the Nomads into the final.
Head-to-Head
Recent meetings suggest Wanderers will go into the final with a slight psychological advantage, but they also show that Ekhaya are capable of making the contest difficult.
In July 2025, Wanderers defeated Ekhaya 1-0 away from home before recording another 1-0 league win in December.
The most recent meeting between the two sides, played on 20 June this year, ended in a 1-1 draw.
Across their last three league meetings, Wanderers have recorded two wins and one draw, scoring three goals and conceding once.
Tactical Battle
One of the key battles in the final will be between Wanderers’ experience and Ekhaya’s youthful energy.
Wanderers have players used to high-pressure matches and have already shown their ability to survive difficult knockout contests, especially after edging Blue Eagles on penalties.
Ekhaya, on the other hand, have shown that they are not intimidated by established opposition. They eliminated holders Bullets in the quarter-finals and followed that up with a disciplined semi-final win over Karonga United.
Ekhaya have attacking threats in players such as Allen Chihana and Chimwemwe Chunga, while Wanderers also possess quality and experience capable of deciding a tight final.
Airtel Top 8 History
Wanderers won their first Airtel Top 8 title in 2022 after beating FCB Nyasa Big Bullets on penalties in the final. They now have another chance to lift the trophy four years later.
The Nomads also enter the final as reigning league champions, having ended an eight-year wait for the Super League title in 2025.
That pedigree will be tested by an Ekhaya side that has nothing to lose and everything to gain in its first Airtel Top 8 final.
Family Pride
Adding another interesting dimension to the final is the involvement of the Mpinganjira family.
Mighty Wanderers sponsor Thom Mpinganjira will see his club face Ekhaya, a side bankrolled by his son, William Mpinganjira.
William has publicly backed Ekhaya to win the final, saying the pressure is on Wanderers. Thom, on the other hand, has praised his son’s investment in football and described the encounter as unique in Malawian football history.
Thom has also acknowledged the threat posed by Ekhaya’s young squad, describing the final as potentially one of Wanderers’ toughest matches of the season. The Football Association of Malawi has also lined up iconic musician Lulu to entertain fans and add colour to the final.
- Info from Malawi FA website.
