Malawi: Ekwendeni Hammers end Wanderers unbeaten run

On a day Mighty Wanderers FC’s family mourned the death of their former striker Esau Kanyenda, Ekwendeni Hammers FC worsened the sombre mood for the Nomads on Wednesday.

Kanyenda, whose scoring prowess earned Wanderers their last TNM Super League title in 2017, died on the eve of the Blantyre giants’ trip to Mzuzu Stadium in the Northern Region for a meeting with the Hammers.

And the hosts made sure there were more tears of sorrow and regrets for the Nomads. The Hammers came from behind to beat Wanderers 2-1 and end their unbeaten league run this season after 25 games.

After a goalless first half, the game came to life in the second half which produced a three-goal thriller.

Wanderers opened the scoring when striker Promise Kamwendo glanced the ball into the net from defender Timothy Silwimba’s cross.

The hosts brought themselves back into the game when Samson Olatubasun connected the ball into the net via a free-kick in the 73rd minute.

Hopes of the visitors maintaining their unbeaten run and going top of the log table were dashed as Isaiah Nyirenda put the Hammers ahead four minutes into added time. Nyirenda reacted the quickest to finish off a rebound after goalkeeper Dalitso Khungwa’s fumble.

What the loss means to Wanderers

Ahead of the game, Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira had made three changes to the starting XI of Sunday’s clash against Chitipa United with Rajab, Sama and Kamwendo preferred at the expense of Blessings Singini, Muhammad Sulumba and Blessings Mwalilino who started from the bench. However, such changes proved futile.

Today’s results #ipemelere #TNMSuperLeague #malawitopflightleague pic.twitter.com/osMj8tG1b7

— Super League of Malawi (@SulomMW) December 3, 2025

It means for the second time in a week, Wanderers failed to go top of the log table, thereby handing the advantage to rivals FCB Big Bullets who still lead on goal-aggregate. The top two teams have 56 points from 25 games with each having five matches to the finish line.

In other results of league games played on Wednesday, Chitipa United edged relegation-threatened Mighty Tigers 3-2 while MAFCO beat Songwe Border United 2-0.