Andrew Mdzumira
The Airtel Top 8 final will take on a unique family dimension on Sunday this weekend when Ekhaya FC face Mighty Wanderers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
The highly anticipated final will see a football battle between two sides linked by the Mpinganjira family, with Ekhaya FC president William Mpinganjira going head-to-head with his father, Mighty Wanderers president Thomson Mpinganjira.
William, who grew up supporting Wanderers, now finds himself on the opposite side as he leads Ekhaya into their first-ever Airtel Top 8 final.
Speaking exclusively to Wa Ganyu, William admitted that his childhood allegiance remains part of his history, but his focus is now firmly on Ekhaya.
“I will sit on my Ekhaya FC side. I will give respect to my father, but when my team scores, I will celebrate freely. At Bingu National Stadium, there is enough space for everyone to sit on their respective sides and support their team,” he said.
The family connection is expected to add another layer of intrigue to a final already attracting significant attention, as Ekhaya seek their first major Airtel Top 8 title while Wanderers aim to finish the tournament as champions.
Golden Boot Race Adds More Drama
The final will also determine the winner of the 2026 Airtel Top 8 Golden Boot, with Allen Chihana of Ekhaya FC and Lennox Kiwambe of Karonga United leading the Airtel Top 8 goal scorers’ chart with three goals each ahead of Sunday’s final.
A goal against Wanderers would see Chihana move clear at the top of the scoring chart and put him in a strong position to claim the Golden Boot.
Wanderers, however, still have players capable of changing the race. Lameck Mithi, Sama Thierry Tanjong and Blessings Mwalilino have each scored once and could enter the Golden Boot contest with a strong showing in the final.
Mwalilino’s participation remains uncertain because of injury. If he is declared fit, his presence could provide Wanderers with an additional attacking option while keeping his individual Golden Boot hopes alive.
Last season, Silver Strikers forward Festus Duwe claimed the Golden Boot with three goals, while Karonga United’s Alfred Chizinga and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ Maxwell Gasten Phodo finished joint-second with two goals each.
Ekhaya’s Remarkable Rise
For the CowBoys, Sunday’s final represents another significant milestone in a rapid rise through Malawian football.
The club earned promotion to the Malawi Super League ahead of the 2025 season before making an impressive debut campaign that secured qualification for the Airtel Top 8.
Now, they have gone one step further by reaching the final.
With family pride, silverware and the Golden Boot all at stake, Sunday’s showdown promises to be more than just a final; it will be a battle for supremacy between two clubs connected by one of Malawi’s most closely watched football families.
