Preview: Bullets vs. Karonga as dominance meets defiance Top 8 semifinal clash

The Bingu National Stadium crackles with an almost palpable energy. It’s Saturday, June 21, 2025, and all eyes in Malawi are glued to the Airtel Top 8 Cup semifinal clash between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Karonga United.

This isn’t merely a football match; it’s a compelling narrative unfolding, a dramatic collision between the established dominance of “The People’s Team” and the rising ambition of “The Ingwina,” each vying for a coveted spot in the tournament’s grand finale.

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FCB Nyasa Big Bullets: chasing a legacy

For FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, affectionately known as “The People’s Team,” the Airtel Top 8 Cup has become synonymous with their storied legacy. They walk onto the pitch today as the most successful club in the tournament’s history, boasting three championships and the remarkable distinction of being the only team to have successfully defended the coveted trophy.

Their journey in this competition is a tale of early stumbles—an early exit in 2017, a defeat in the 2018 Cup final, and a controversial ban in 2019 that still sparks debate among fans. Yet, this was followed by an era of near-unbroken triumph.

From their first title in 2020/21, dismantling Mafco FC and Mighty Wanderers en route, to their historic quadruple in 2023, and their clean-sheet defense in 2024, Bullets have etched their name firmly into the cup’s folklore.

Today, they seek a record fourth title, a testament to their unwavering hunger for silverware. Their path to this semifinal saw them overcome Creck Sporting Club with a narrow 1-0 aggregate win, a pragmatic victory showcasing their ability to grind out results.

Their recent form is formidable, with eight wins from their last ten games, suffering only one defeat against arch-rivals Mighty Wanderers and drawing against Creck Sporting in the first leg of the quarterfinals.

Karonga United: The rise of “The Ingwina”

Across the turf stands Karonga United, “The Ingwina” (The Crocodiles), a team that has steadily risen to prominence, shedding the “underdog” tag to become one of the Northern Region’s finest and a formidable force in the TNM Super League.

Their history in the Airtel Top 8 Cup is less adorned with trophies but rich with moments of defiance and unexpected surges. Their debut in 2019 remains a highlight, a fairy-tale run that saw them navigate past TN Stars on away goals and then overcome Mzuzu University in a tense penalty shootout to reach their first-ever final.

That final, against Silver Strikers, ended in heartbreak, with a solitary goal from Khuda Muyaba denying them the ultimate glory.

Their 2022 encounter with Bullets in the quarterfinals serves as a stark reminder of the chasm that once existed between the two sides—an 8-1 aggregate humiliation that saw them reeling.

They missed the 2023 and 2024 editions due to Super League struggles, but Karonga United has returned with a vengeance this season.

Their quarterfinal performance against Mighty Wanderers was a powerful statement of intent: overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit with a brilliant 2-0 home victory, propelled by Ishmael Chizinga’s brace.

This wasn’t a fluke; their current fourth-place standing in the Super League, with 15 points from 7 games, underlines their consistent form. They enter this semifinal not just hoping for a second-ever final berth, but truly believing it’s within their grasp.

What the Coaches Are Saying

Peter Mponda, head coach for Bullets, is eager to reach his first Airtel Top 8 Cup final with the People’s Team. This would be his second overall as a coach, having guided Silver Strikers to the same stage last season, only to lose to Kalisto Pasuwa’s Bullets.

Mponda acknowledges the challenge: “They are a compact side, very dangerous in wings, we can’t afford to underrate them, that would be risky. We are prepared for them, we are happy with things are shaping up.”

His counterpart, Oscar Kaunda of Karonga United, expressed confidence despite playing for the first time under floodlights. “Our preparations are at an advanced stage. We’ve already trained under floodlights at the stadium. Our goal is to reach the final. We respect Bullets but are not afraid. We are fearless,” he said.