There is a saying that two roosters don’t crow in the same pen.
Obviously, the adage will come true as the stage is set for the semi-finals of the eighth edition of the Airtel Top 8 at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe this weekend.
It will be an action-packed weekend as holders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Karonga United face-off in the first semi-final to be played under floodlights this evening before paving the way for Silver Strikers and Civil Service United Sunday.
There is no room for error as stakes are high at this stage. The two winners of today and tomorrow’s ties will progress to the final slated for July 12 at a venue yet to be announced.
This year’s champions will pocket K35 million, up from K30 million, plus a glittering trophy for the 2025 champions.
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But this afternoon, Bullets and Karonga will be battling for the first slot in the final.
In the world of football, where giants often dominate, the tale of Karonga in this year’s Airtel Top 8, has made more fans fall in love with the competition.
On their way to the semi-finals, Karonga stunned Mighty Wanderers 2-0 in the second leg at Karonga Stadium to reach the semi-finals when they came as underdogs following a 1-0 loss in the first leg at Kamuzu Stadium.
For many years, Karonga have showcased grit and guile as they have crushed giants in domestic football.
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Surely, they are not strangers in the top 8 having reached the final in 2019 which they lost 1-0 to Silver at the same venue.
Unlike Bullets which thrive on individual brilliance, Karonga is built on playing as a unit like swarm of bees. Their system is mainly built on discipline, hard work and unity.
The Crocodiles go into the battle against Bullets with a score to settle having lost 8-1 on aggregate in 2022.
Karonga Coach Oscar Kaunda said his charges were not intimidated with Bullets’ pedigree in the competition.
“We need to beat the best to be the best. The Crocodiles are ready to swim,” Kaunda said.
This will be the first time for Karonga to play under flood lights but Kaunda said his troops will not be distracted playing at night.
“We have no excuse playing under floodlights. The boys trained well, able to pass the ball as usual,” he said.
Goalkeeper Maclean Mwale, Alfred Chizinga, Saulos Moyo and Allen Chihana can cause plenty of problems to any team on a good day.
Bullets, on the other hand, go into the battle against Karonga with a spring in their step following their good record in the competition.
Since the start of the cup, Bullets, so far, are the only team to have won it thrice, in 2021, 2023 and 2024.
Unlike Karonga, Bullets have quality in abundance. Additionally, Bullets squad is also built on fighting spirit, experience and a winning mentality.
Bullets Coach Peter Mponda said underrating Karonga will be at their own peril.
“Karonga are a good side; compact, organised and dangerous on the wings. We cannot afford to underestimate them, that would be risky,” Mponda said.
Mponda will be hoping that they maintain their impressive start to the season.
“I am happy with how the team responded after the derby loss. We showed it against Mighty Tigers in a tough match and came out with a solid win. We want to build on that performance,” he said.
On their way to the semi-finals, Bullets eliminated Creck Sporting Club 1-0 on aggregate courtesy of Maxwell Gasten Phodo’s goal.
Bullets have only lost 1-0 to Wanders in the league this season.
Since the Airtel Top 8 was introduced in 2017, Bullets have failed to progress to the semi-finals once. That was during the inaugural edition when they lost 1-0 to Silver Strikers on aggregate. Additionally, they did not participate in the 2019 Airtel Top 8 as they were serving a ban for being found guilty of violence during the final which they lost 1-0 to Blue Eagles at BNS.
But they have been a common feature in the Airtel Top 8 semi-finals.
So far, of the seven editions Bullets who have won in three times, are followed by Silver who won it twice while Eagles and Wanderers have won it once in 2018 and 2022, respectively.
Currently, Wanderers and Silver have played in all Airtel Top 8 editions.
Last year, Airtel Malawi renewed its three-year sponsorship with a hiked package of K655 million from the previous K234 million.
