By Frank Mojah Dzuwa

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ quest for a fifth Airtel Top 8 title ended dramatically on Saturday when debutants Ekhaya FC stunned the four-time champions, winning 7-6 on penalties to secure a place in the semi-finals of the 2026 tournament.

The second leg of the quarter-final finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, leaving the tie level at 2-2 on aggregate. Ekhaya then held their nerve in the penalty shootout to complete one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history.

Allen Chihana gave Ekhaya the lead in the 43rd minute before Peter Banda equalised in the 57th minute with a superb free kick, forcing a tense finish.

The shootout produced the decisive moment when Peter Banda missed Bullets’ final penalty, allowing Chimwemwe Chunga to calmly convert the winning spot kick and send Enos Chatama’s side into the last four.

The victory was historic for Ekhaya FC, who are competing in the Airtel Top 8 for the first time since the club was formed in 2023. It also marked the club’s first-ever win over FCB Nyasa Big Bullets.

Ekhaya head coach Enos Chatama said his side believed they could get the job done despite facing Malawi’s most successful Airtel Top 8 team.

“It was a tough game, but we prepared well. The boys fought hard, and there is still a long way to go. As I have said, this is a project and the team will improve by 2028. We knew Bullets could not beat us in 90 minutes with the way they are playing, and I told my players that before the match,” said Chatama.

A disappointed Bullets head coach Wedson Wadawada admitted his side failed to perform at the level required to progress.

“It is very painful to be going out. We did not turn up today. We should have won the match in the first half, but we were too passive and played too slowly. We lost the match in the first half,” said Nyirenda.

Ekhaya FC will now face Blue Eagles in the Airtel Top 8 semi-finals as their debut campaign continues. Meanwhile, Bullets bow out of a competition they have won a record four times.