Ahead of Airtel Top 8 final: Silver, Bullets date at BNS

The Season 8 of the Airtel Top 8 will come to an end on Sunday, 20 July 2025 when FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver face off in the much anticipated final at the Bingu National Stadium.

The two teams booked a place in the final after claiming wins in a similar fashion in the semi final at the same venue as the People’s team beat Karonga United 2-1 and the Bankers knocked out Civil Service United 1-2 in a Lilongwe Derby.

Interestingly, the two teams meet in the final for the third time as the Bankers will be looking for their first ever victory over Bullets in the final having lost in both meetings in 2021 and last season.

MORE NEWS FROM WAMPIRA

The People’s team beat the Bankers 5-4 on penalties in 2021 after it ended 1-1 in the regulation time. Lanjesi Nkhoma scored on the 16th minute to cancel out Stain Davie’s opener before Bullets winning it in post match penalties.

In 2024, the Bankers also missed it under the current Bullets head coach, Peter Mponda, who lost to Kalisto Pasuwa’s led Bullets 0-1, with the current Bankers coach, Peter Mgangira as his deputy thanks to an Ernest Petro’s 71st minute header.

TEAMS’ PERFORMANCES

The Bankers have now gone 14 games unbeaten in all competitions and their last defeat was against FCB Nyasa Big Bullets on 05th April 2025 when the Elite league was kicking off but they boost with 9 wins and five draws in the past 14 matches and also beat Bullets 2-0 in FCB trophy on 29 June 2025 at the Bingu National Stadium.

They are however coming from two consecutive draws against Moyale Barracks and MAFCO which put them 9 points behind leaders, Mighty Wanderers in the League after 11 matches.

Meanwhile, the People’s team have managed to record 11 wins, one draw and three defeats in their last 15 games in all competitions and sit second in the League.

They however recorded two of the three losses in the past three games when they lost to Silver Strikers in the FCB Cup before suffering a shock 2-1 defeat over Civil Service United last weekend on 12th June 2025.

TEAM NEWS

The Bankers will go into the match without the cup’s leading top scorer, Festus Duwe who is nursing an injury making him to be ruled out. He could be a major worry as his three goals in the tournament fired the Bankers into the final.

They will also not have captain Chikondi Kamanga and former Bullets left back, Precious Sambani who have missed a couple of games for the Bankers due to injuries.

On the part of Bullets, they have received a major boost after the return of Chikumbutso Salima, Mike Mkwate and Andrew Juvinala who were out due to sickness and injuries.

However, Crispin Mapemba will still he out of the team’s squad due to an injury he sustained last season.

COACHES REACTIONS

Facing his former mentor, Peter Mgangira anticipates a tough match against Bullets but believes his players can overturn the tables and record a win on Sunday.

“The team is ready for the final though we have a few injuries. Regardless of the results against Bullets in the past games we are confident of getting a result come Sunday.”

“We feel this is our opportunity to change the narrative and the players know the importance of this match, there are medals and a prize money at stake. The good thing is the majority of the players we have, have what takes to take the game home,” said Mgangira.

On his part, Peter Mponda of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets said his team is ready to defend the trophy as they eye to finish it in the 90 minutes.

“Silver are a good team, my boys know we’re facing my former side and they’re good. My charges are ready to defend the final. The players know the importance of this game. I want to finish the game in 90 minutes, not go into penalties. I’m facing my former club, yes, a good squad, but we can do it,” said Mponda.

SPONSORS EYE

Ahead of the grand match, Sponsors Airtel Malawi are impressed with how the tournament has gone in the season 8 and said they have lined up entertaining events ahead of the match.

Head of brand and public relations, Norah Chavula Chirwa, said they have already started giving their customers their branded materials as part of their gratefulness for their support.

“We have a van that is going all over the township of Lilongwe to distribute T-shirts, caps, bundles and many of our branded materials to thank them. This is just the beginning as on Sunday, we will have Ma Blacks performing so it will be a big day.”

“We edge them to buy tickets on Airtel Money by dialing *211# and the first 1,000 people to arrive at the Bingu National Stadium with Airtel money tickets will get T-shirts and caps.” Said Chavula.

FANS EXPECTIONS

Our publications also caught up both team’s supporters ahead of the match as all are rallying behind their teams in the game.

A number of Silver Strikers supporters we talked to said they will beat Bullets as they are hungry to win the trophy and also bemoans pressure of Peter Mgangira following strings of draws in the League will make them come hard on Bullets.

Gabriel Mwale: “I’m expecting that silver will win the game. Mgangira is under pressure following those two draws and also considering last year’s defeat in the final against Bullets, this time around we want a revenge. Bullets is not good as well.”

Paul Chafikira Jr: “I have the confidence to win it since we have new players who I believe that they will put much effort to make us win. Also Mgangira will do anything to prevent himself from being fired because of the poor run in the League.”

Peter Lowani Jere:” I believe the defense of Bullets is now shaking and it’s an advantage to our team to utilise on that. Set pieces would be ideal and I see us winning 2-0 or 2-1 in this game.”

On the side of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, their supporters remain positive that they will win the trophy as they do better at the Bingu National Stadium.

Alfred Kambalame:” It’s a tricky game for us but I know we have god coaches who will respond in style and with proper tactics we will finish the Bankers inside 90 minutes.”

Langton Pensulo: “No doubt, Bullets will defend it as the return of Chikumbutso Salima gives us hope to beat the Bankers. We will claim it on Sunday.”

Grace Joseph: “Maule more fire! We are going to beat Silver Strikers on Sunday and when we are at Bingu we dominate them. Forget about losing against Civil, we will beat their neighbours.”

The Bankers will be eyeing their third trophy having won it in the maiden year in 2017 when they beat Mighty Wanderers in the final before winning it in 2019 after edging Karonga United in the final.

However, the People’s team have won it three times after reaching finals on five occasions. They won it against the Bankers in 2021 and 2024 and beat MAFCO in 2023 in the final.

The winner of the final in this year will claim a massive K35 million after it was adjusted from K30 million this season while the loser will take home K12 million.