Defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets wrote their own piece of history when they reached their fourth consecutive Airtel Top 8 final after beating Kamuzu Barracks 2-0 at Bingu National Stadium Sunday.
That sets up a repeat of the 2021 Airtel Top 8 final with Silver Strikers next Saturday at the same venue after the latter defeated Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 1-0 on Saturday.
In 2021, Bullets triumphed 5-3 on post-match penalties after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time at Kamuzu Stadium.
This is a chance for Silver to exact revenge for their loss in the 2021 decider.
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This will be the first time for Kalisto Pasuwa to be up against his former student Peter Mponda in the competition.
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The 2024 Airtel Top 8 final also provides the two sides a perfect opportunity to make another piece of history.
They are the only teams to have won the competition twice each since its inception in 2017.
Silver were the inaugural winners in 2017 before adding their second Airtel Top 8 trophy in 2019 whereas Bullets won it in 2021 and 2023.
In addition, Bullets have another opportunity to write another piece of history if they defend the Airtel Top 8.
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Since 2017, no team has defended the trophy.
Striker Ephraim Kondowe and defender Blessings Mpokera scored a goal each to propel Bullets to their fifth Airtel Top 8 final in seven years.
However, the People’s Team lost two previous finals to Blue Eagles 1-0 in 2018 and 2022 to Wanderers 5-3 on post-match penalties after goal-less stints in regulation time.
Man-of-the-match Kondowe bundled the ball into the net with a close range finish after a cross from Babatunde Adepoju in the second minute of the match.
After the goal, KB soldiers reorganised themselves and exchanged some good passes in the middle of the pack, but failed to break Bullets’ defence comprising Nickson Nyasulu, Gomezgani Chirwa, Alick Lungu and Yamikani Mologeni.
Kondowe’s goal separated the two teams at the break.
After recess, KB made a double change as they introduced Christopher Ntambo and Sheriff Maulana for Mathias Nyirenda and Chifundo Makawa.
On the other hand, Bullets brought in Mpokera for Mologeni.
However, Olson Kanjira had a ball into the net but was ruled out for offside.
The soldiers were forced to substitute defence Pillar Herbert Wayekha for Sam Chibvunde due to injury.
Kanjira was also withdrawn for Humphreys Minandi as they were looking for a goal.
However, Mpokera doubled Bullets’ lead from a free kick that eluded everyone including goalkeeper Hastings Banda in the 73rd minute.
Both teams tried to create some chances but Bullets came out victors.
In a post-match interview, Pasuwa said the early goal unsettled their opponents.
“Definitely after the first goal, KB looked down. They started the match very well. Had it been we did not score in the early minutes, it could have been a tough match,” Pasuwa said.
Taking his turn, KB coach Charles Kamanga said the players failed to execute game plan.
“I told the boys to hold Bullets in the first 10 minutes but unfortunately, we conceded a goal,” Kamanga said.
Sponsored to the tune of K180 million, the champions of the Airtel Top 8 will pocket K30 million up from K17.5 million whereas the runners-up will get K10 million up from K7.5 million.
Bullets clinched the 2023 Airtel Top 8 after beating Mafco 2-1 at Kamuzu Stadium.
