Rachael Kaphaizi

From an outstanding glory of 2024 to a frustrating drought in the 2025, the Airtel Top8 Cup continues.

In the opening week of last season, teams ignited the challenge with ten goals in the first leg of the cup but the story has changed this year.

The spark has dropped as teams have struggled to find the back of the net, only managing two goals in the first leg from ten last year.

This season only Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers have managed to score one each from their matches against Moyale and Karonga United respectively. Last season a goal was recorded from each match, and Silver Strikers recorded more goals in the first leg than any team.

The Bankers put 4 goals past Dedza Dynamos which ended 4-1 in favour of the then Peter Mponda-led side.

For the Nomads, history has repeated itself. Equal to last season, when they laboured to scored one goal only when they last played against Bangwe All Stars.

Airtel Top 8 defending champions, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets scored two goals in their first leg match last season against Civil but this year they failed to put score past a resilient Creck Sporting side making its debut in the competition.

Here are first leg results in 2024 and this year

2024 season

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 2-0 Civil Service United

Silver Strikers 4-1 Dedza Dynamos

Mighty Wanderers 1-0 Bangwe All Stars

Chitipa United 2-0 Kamuzu Barracks

2025 season

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 0-0 Creck Sporting

Silver Strikers 1-0 Moyale Barracks

Mzuzu City Hammers 0-0 Civil Service United

Mighty Wanderers 1-0 Karonga United