Wa Ganyu
It is so far a fantastic season for Silver Strikers, who have stayed top of the table from day one of the 2024 season, and they can add the Airtel Top 8 trophy to their season prospects as they face Dedza Dynamos tomorrow in the first leg.
Silver Strikers won the inaugural Airtel Top 8 in 2017 and last won it again in 2019. It’s only them and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets that have won the trophy twice. Bullets won it in 2021 and last year.
Blue Eagles and Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have won it once in 2018 and 2022 respectively. However, it is Bullets that have made a record to reach the Airtel final four times, in 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Former Eagles midfielder, Stuart Mbunge believes the Bankers can lift the trophy again this season.
“I think this season Silver are in top form and they have a chance to go all the way,” said Mbunge whose former club broke Bullets hearts in 2018 at Bingu National Stadium a match that ended 1-0 to Eagles through and it was Mbunge who scored that penalty after Bullets defender Yamikani Fodya had fouled Gilbert Chirwa.
“Silver have a squad big enough, are playing some nice football and the confidence is quite high because they are getting results. So yes, my money is on them to get Airtel Money.” He added.
Silver Strikers coach Peter Mponda is hoping to get positive results over Dedza as he is aware that Dedza will not be an easy team to beat.
“I strongly believe that they will come with a defensive mind because they know that it’s just the first leg and they’ve got another match to play at their home ground. We are prepared for them and I think we have got the players that can unlock their defensive strategy and approach.
“This is a cup game where It’s different from a league match, with three games only you are into the final so we know the importance of a win to go forward,” said Mponda.
In an encounter that promises fireworks, Bankers will take on Dedza Dynamos at Silver Stadium. In their previous encounter in the league, away at Dedza Stadium, Silver came from behind to force a draw.
In early fixtures played over the weekend, Bullets and Chitipa United were both 2-nil winners over Civil Service United and Kamuzu Barracks respectively. In another fixture, Wanderers needed a Isaac Kaliati penalty to beat Bangwe All Stars at Kamuzu Stadium.
