Let us rock and roll. Top eight teams, one dream but one winner.
The eighth edition of Airtel Top 8 ZaMadolo gets underway as record holders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets start their title defence against debutants Creck Sporting Club at Kamuzu Stadium this afternoon.
This afternoon battle has created a big buzz in domestic football as the two sides have huge expectations.
Both sides have reinforced their squads.
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There is a lot to play for in this year’s competition.
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Sponsored to the tune of K180 million per year, champions will pocket K30 million plus a glittering trophy whereas the runners-up will get K10 million.
The two teams registered contrasting fortunes in their opening matches in the TNM Super League last week.
Bullets opened the season with a 1-0 win over defending champions Silver Strikers at Bingu National Stadium whereas Creck were left gnashing their teeth following a 1-4 loss to Dedza Dynamos at Champion Stadium.
But cup games are full of upsets.
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There have been several upsets in domestic football and this is the kind of stuff that has made more fans fall in love with the game.
So far, Bullets have dominated the Airtel Top 8 after clinching it three times since its inception in 2017.
They won it for the first time in 2021 before clinching it again in 2023.
But etched their name in the history book of the competition when they became the first side to successfully defend it in 2024.
Again, Bullets are the only side to appear in five of the Airtel Top 8 seven finals. But they have lost it twice to Blue Eagles (1-0) in 2018 and to Wanderers (5-3) in 2022.
On the other hand, Creck promoted to top flight football two years ago, would hope to cause an upset by eliminating holders in their debut Airtel Top 8 appearance.
Backed by financial muscle from Apostle Clifford Kawinga, Creck had a remarkable run in their debut season in the TNM Super League when they finished sixth with 10 wins, 12 draws and eight losses.
But they also had some setbacks in knock-out competitions when they lost 1-0 to Baka City in the FDH Bank Cup.
This is the fourth meeting between the two sides. Bullets have beaten Creck twice with one match ending in a stalemate.
The People’s Team defeated Creck 3-2 in the league after a 1-1 stalemate in the first round.
They also met in Sapitwa Pre-Season bonanza but Bullets triumphed 1-0.
It will be a battle of egos as former Flames captains Peter Mponda and Joseph Kamwendo face each other.
Sounding calm and composed, Bullets Assistant Coach Gilbert Chirwa said they were hoping for a best start.
“Creck are a good team so we prepared our team. We believe the boys will do their best,” Chirwa said.
Bullets have all arsenal available for the clash. Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju, who won the highest scorer in the Airtel Top 8 with nine goals. He won the 2021 golden boot award with eight goals before scoring a goal in 2022.
Maxwell Phodo, Lloyd Aaron, Chikumbutso Salima and Wongani Lungu are other potential match winners.
Taking his turn, Kamwendo believes the players have recovered from their last week’s setback.
“It will be a different game. Let them underrate us at their own peril. We believe we can upset them,” Kamwendo said.
Creck have bolstered the squad with 10 players such as Miracle Gabeya, Isaac Msiska, Misheck Botomani, Brighton Munthali and Hassan Hussein.
Hadji Wali, George Chaomba and Talandira Chigaula are available for the match.
In another quarter-final first leg, 2022 winners Mighty Wanderers will host Karonga United at the same venue on Saturday next week before Mzuzu City Hammers and Civil Service United face-off on April 20 at Mzuzu Stadium.
The quarter-finals first leg will be concluded on April 21 as Silver Strikers will host Moyale Barracks.
In the second leg, Karonga will host Wanderers at Karonga Stadium on April 26 whereas Creck will entertain Bullets at a venue yet to be announced.
On May 17, Moyale will host Silver at Mzuzu Stadium whereas Civil will host Hammers on May 18 at a venue yet to be announced.
The semi-finals are scheduled for June 28 and 29 with the final slated for July 12.
So far, only Wanderers and Silver have played in all the Airtel Top 8 seasons.
Bullets did not take part in the 2019 edition as they were serving a ban for violence which happened during the 2018 final against Blue Eagles.
Despite missing the 2019 edition, Bullets have won it thrice in 2021,2023 and 2024 whereas Silver have won it twice in 2017 and 2019. Wanderers and Eagles won it in 2022 and 2018 respectively.
