FCB Nyasa Big Bullets return to FDH Bank Premiership action against Ekhaya FC at Mpira Stadium on Sunday, looking to extend their unbeaten league run and produce the perfect response to last weekend’s Airtel Top 8 disappointment.
The People’s Team return to Mpira Stadium on Sunday afternoon for another meeting with Ekhaya FC, this time in the FDH Bank Premiership.
The fixture comes eight days after the two sides met at the same venue in the Airtel Top 8 quarterfinal second leg. A 1-1 draw was followed by Ekhaya advancing 7-6 on penalties.
Bullets now turn their full attention to the league, where Wedson Nyirenda’s side remain unbeaten after nine matches and have won their last three fixtures.
With 19 points, The People’s Team sit level with leaders Blue Eagles and know another positive result would strengthen their position at the summit of an increasingly competitive title race.
FORM GUIDE
Bullets head into Sunday’s encounter in strong league form under Nyirenda, having recorded three consecutive victories to move level with Blue Eagles on 19 points from nine matches.
The People’s Team defeated Kamuzu Barracks and Masters FC before recording a 2-0 victory over Creck Sporting Club in their most recent league outing, extending their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Sunday’s encounter comes eight days after Ekhaya ended Bullets’ Airtel Top 8 journey at the same venue.
The two sides drew 1-1 in regulation time before The People’s Team suffered a 7-6 defeat in the penalty shootout.
The hosts have also recovered strongly following a difficult start to the season.
After losing two of their opening three league matches, Ekhaya found their rhythm with a 2-0 home victory over Moyale Barracks before recording back-to-back wins against Kamuzu Barracks and Masters FC.
They followed those results with a 1-1 draw against Mighty Wanderers, a hard-fought 1-0 victory over MAFCO FC and a goalless draw away to Luanar Mitundu at Dedza Stadium in their most recent league outing.
Ekhaya sit fifth in the standings with 15 points from nine matches, having scored 12 goals and conceded six.
With the sides already familiar with each other following their Airtel Top 8 quarterfinal meetings, another closely contested encounter is expected as Bullets look to maintain their title momentum while delivering the response Nyirenda has demanded.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Sunday’s fixture will mark the fifth meeting between Bullets and Ekhaya across all competitions since the Blantyre side earned promotion to the top flight at the end of the 2024 season.
The first meeting took place at Kamuzu Stadium, where The People’s Team secured a 1-0 victory through Babatunde Adepoju’s second-half strike.
Bullets completed the league double in the reverse fixture at Mpira Stadium, winning 2-0 courtesy of goals from Ephraim Kondowe and Maxwell Phodo.
The sides met again in this season’s Airtel Top 8 quarterfinals, with both legs ending 1-1 in regulation time.
After the first leg at Bingu National Stadium, the return meeting at Mpira Stadium also finished level before Ekhaya prevailed 7-6 on penalties to end Bullets’ campaign at the quarterfinal stage.
Bullets remain unbeaten against Ekhaya in regulation time, having recorded two wins and two draws from the previous four meetings.
THE NUMBERS THAT MATTER
Bullets remain the only unbeaten team in the FDH Bank Premiership this season, having collected 19 points from nine matches.
The People’s Team also boast an outstanding league record at Mpira Stadium, where they have not lost since the venue opened in 2017.
Ekhaya will approach Sunday’s encounter with confidence after eliminating Bullets from the Airtel Top 8, but they are still searching for their first league victory over The People’s Team.
Bullets won both Premiership meetings between the sides last season, keeping clean sheets in each fixture.
A victory for Ekhaya would therefore hand them their first league win over Bullets and make them the first side to end The People’s Team’s unbeaten league run this season.
TEAM NEWS
Maxwell Phodo and Paul Master remain sidelined through injury and will not be available for Sunday’s encounter.
Chrispin Mapemba continues his rehabilitation after undergoing surgery in April and remains unavailable for selection.
Captain Blessings Mpokera is a doubt and will undergo a late fitness assessment before the technical team makes a final decision on his availability.
COACH’S THOUGHTS
Nyirenda says the disappointment of last weekend’s Airtel Top 8 elimination has strengthened the players’ determination to respond positively on Sunday.
“It was a very painful elimination, and looking at the way we are preparing, you can see the anger and hunger in the players. They want to get things right and change the narrative.”
With Bullets turning their attention back to the Premiership, the head coach has emphasised the importance of protecting the momentum built through three consecutive league victories.
“The league is a marathon. You can win or lose games and still recover if you are serious, but we want to maintain our momentum. We have done very well in the past three matches and found ourselves at the summit, so we want to continue with what we have been doing.”
Having faced Ekhaya twice in the Airtel Top 8, Nyirenda believes his technical team has identified what must change ahead of the latest meeting.
“We know where we went wrong and have made some adjustments. We need to see the team come onto the field with the same anger and hunger we have shown in training. What we need is an outright victory.”
OPPOSITION VIEW
Ekhaya head coach Enos Chatama says his side have put their Airtel Top 8 success behind them and are fully focused on Sunday’s league encounter.
“We have to forget about the Airtel Top 8 after qualifying for the semifinals and look forward to the next game against Bullets. The boys are ready, although we have two or three players carrying injuries. All in all, we have a team capable of taking on Bullets on Sunday.”
Chatama expects another close contest, with the teams preparing to meet for the third time in approximately six weeks.
“We expect a tough game because we have played them twice in the past four or five weeks. Meeting three times in six weeks is never easy, especially after we knocked them out of the Airtel Top 8, but the team that gains the upper hand will carry the day.”
The Ekhaya coach dismissed suggestions that Bullets’ desire for revenge would define the encounter, insisting preparation will be the decisive factor.
“There is nothing like revenge in football. What matters is how you prepare tactically, technically and physically. Our focus is on preparing ourselves properly and approaching the game with the ambition of winning.”
With four points separating the teams in the standings, Chatama believes his players understand the importance of Sunday’s encounter.
“The players know the importance of the game and what it takes to face Bullets and fight for the three points. If we win, we can reduce the gap to one point, but if we drop all three, the teams above us could move further away.”
TACTICAL FOCUS
Having faced Ekhaya in the recent Airtel Top 8 quarterfinal, Nyirenda and his technical team will have gained valuable insight into Sunday’s opponents.
Ekhaya’s aggressive press disrupted Bullets’ rhythm, particularly by limiting Yamikani Mologeni’s influence and reducing The People’s Team’s creativity in the final third.
For Bullets to gain the upper hand this time, control of the midfield could prove decisive.
Nyirenda’s side will need to be sharper in possession, quicker in transition and capable of finding alternative routes to goal whenever the wide areas are crowded out.
Ekhaya are comfortable building attacks through midfield and the flanks, while their quick and direct wingers pose a threat on the counterattack and in one-on-one situations.
With both teams tactically disciplined and now highly familiar with each other’s strengths, Sunday’s encounter could be decided by which side adapts better and executes its game plan more effectively in the decisive moments.
KEY BATTLE
The midfield contest could once again shape Sunday’s encounter.
In the recent cup meeting, Isaiah Nyirenda and Vincent Salawira helped Ekhaya control possession and dictate the tempo for long periods.
Bullets will need to compete more aggressively in central areas, move the ball with greater purpose and prevent the hosts from settling into their passing rhythm.
Mologeni was also closely monitored in the previous meeting, limiting his opportunities to make the attacking runs that usually provide The People’s Team with width and penetration.
Should Ekhaya adopt the same approach, Bullets will require greater variety in attack, with midfield runners, quicker combinations and shots from distance offering alternative ways to break down a disciplined defence.
Whichever side wins the battle for space and possession in midfield could gain the platform needed to control the match.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Sunday’s meeting carries significance beyond the three points on offer.
A victory would strengthen Bullets’ position in the title race while providing the perfect response to last weekend’s Airtel Top 8 elimination against the same opponents.
With The People’s Team level on points with Blue Eagles after three consecutive league victories, another positive result would preserve their unbeaten record and reinforce the momentum that has lifted them into a share of top spot.
Ekhaya also have plenty to play for.
Fresh from eliminating Bullets from the cup, the hosts will be eager to prove that result was no isolated success and secure their first league victory over The People’s Team.
With confidence, league position and recent history all adding significance to the occasion, Sunday’s encounter promises to be another fiercely contested battle.
Maule, make your voices heard at Mpira Stadium as The People’s Team look to maintain their unbeaten league run and continue their push at the top of the table.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mayamiko Kanjere
First Assistant Referee: Pondamali Tembo
Second Assistant Referee: Mussah Grant
Fourth Official: Eness Gumbo
Match Assessor: Chalvin Ngolanga
MATCH DETAILS
Competition: FDH Bank Premiership
Fixture: Ekhaya FC vs FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
Venue: Mpira Stadium
Date: Sunday, 19 July 2026
Kick-off: 14:30
HOW TO FOLLOW
Supporters unable to make it to Mpira Stadium can watch the match live on Mpira TV and FIFA+.
Live minute-by-minute updates will also be available across FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ official social media platforms, while the match report, reaction, highlights and post-match content will be published on the club’s digital channels after the final whistle.
