FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers Set to Battle in Anticipated Airtel Top 8 Cup Final
The football scene in Malawi is gearing up for an exciting weekend as FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers face off in the final of the Airtel Top 8 Cup at Bingu National Stadium on Sunday afternoon. This much-anticipated showdown promises to be a thrilling encounter between two of the country's most storied clubs, with each team seeking to claim the first silverware of the season.
Defending Champions Bullets Chase Fourth Airtel Top 8 Title
Bullets began their 2025 Airtel Top 8 journey with a narrow 1-0 aggregate victory over Creck Sporting Club in the quarterfinals. Maxwell Phodo's first-half goal in the return leg proved decisive, sending them through to the semifinals. In the last four, they came up against Karonga United at Bingu National Stadium and earned a hard-fought 2-1 win, thanks to goals from Chikumbutso Salima and Hassan Kajoke.
Since the 2021 season, Bullets have appeared in every Airtel Top 8 final, lifting the trophy three times and finishing as runners-up twice. With a fifth consecutive final appearance, they are chasing a fourth title to add to their impressive record.
Silver Strikers Seek to Reclaim the Trophy
Silver Strikers, on the other hand, are determined to reclaim the trophy they last lifted in 2021. Their campaign started strongly with a 3-1 aggregate win over Moyale Barracks. Festus Duwe opened the scoring in the first leg and followed up with a brace in the second, while Stain Davie also found the net to confirm their passage to the semifinals.
They then faced Civil Service United in the Lilongwe derby and emerged 2-1 winners to book their place in Sunday's final. With five final appearances under their belt, Silver Strikers have won the trophy twice and lost in 2021 and 2024.
League Form
In the TNM Super League, both teams have played 11 games, with Bullets sitting second on the table with 27 points and Silver in third place with 20 points. Bullets have two defeats compared to Silver's one, but The Bankers have dropped points in five drawn matches.
Ahead of the final, Bullets are coming from a 2-1 away defeat to Civil Service United, while Silver fought back to draw 1-1 away to Moyale Barracks.
Historical Rivalry
Sunday's clash will be the third Airtel Top 8 final meeting between Bullets and Silver Strikers, and the sixth overall meeting between the two clubs in this competition since its inception in 2017. In the inaugural edition, Silver knocked Bullets out in the quarterfinals with a 1-0 win in the first leg before a goalless draw in the second leg. In 2021, they met in the final at Kamuzu Stadium, which Bullets won 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. In the 2022 semifinals, Bullets defeated Silver 3-1 at Kamuzu Stadium. Last season, the two teams met in the final again at the BNS where Ernest Petro’s goal gave Bullets a 1-0 win.
Team News and Coach's Thoughts
Coach Peter Mponda of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets has no injury concerns heading into Sunday's final. The trio of Andrew Jovinala, Mike Mkwate, and Chikumbutso Salima, who all missed last weekend's league loss to Civil Service United, have returned to full training and are available for selection.
"It has been a very good week in terms of preparing for the game. We have no excuses—we've done our work both psychologically and on the training pitch. I have all the players available and ready for selection, and as a coach, that gives me a positive headache. But overall, everything is looking good. Just being in a final is motivation enough. The boys have worked hard to get here, and I don't think they would want to let this opportunity slip away. They understand the significance of this game and the pressure that comes with it. They are ready,"
said Mponda.
The officiating team for Sunday's final has been confirmed by the Football Association of Malawi, with Godfrey Nkhakananga as the centre referee, Pondamali Tembo and Lameck Phiri as assistant referees, and Stanley Chimombo as the fourth official.
As the capital city prepares for this highly anticipated showdown, fans and football enthusiasts alike are eagerly anticipating an exciting and closely contested final between two of Malawi's most iconic football teams.
Summary: Sure, here is a concise summary of the text: The Airtel Top 8 Cup final is set to take place on Sunday between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers at Bingu National Stadium. This will be the third meeting between the two teams in the Airtel Top 8 final, with Bullets having won the previous two encounters. In the league, both teams have played 11 games, with Bullets sitting second on the table and Silver third. The final will be the fifth overall final appearance for Bullets and the fourth in a row, while Silver are making their fifth final appearance. There are no injury concerns for Bullets' coach Peter Mponda, who has a full squad available for selection. Mponda is confident about his team's chances, saying that being in a final is motivation enough and that the players have worked hard to get there.
