Rachael Kaphaizi
Silver Strikers 1 [3-4] 1 FCB Nyasa Big Bullets
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets are breaking Airtel Top 8 records which no team has achieved in Malawi.
They are the only side to reach a fifth consecutive Airtel Top 8 final (from 2021 to 2025). The only side to play in the Airtel final for a record 6 times (2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025). And consequently, the only team to haul the red and white trophy for a record four times.
And yet they did not play in the 2019 season after being slapped with a ban for the violent conduct they displayed in 2018 during their final against Blue Eagles which they lost 1-0 to a Stuart Mbunge penalty.
On Sunday, 2025 they were back at Bingu stadium where they beat Silver Strikers, a team they have never lost to for the third time.
Just as in 2021, today’s scorer, Stain Davie also scored at 8 minutes in the first half but Lanjesi Nkhoma levelled for the match to be decided in penalty shootouts. Levison Maganizo saw his spot kick stopped by keeper Ernest Kakhobwe and his side lost 5-4.
History nearly repeated today, in almost a similar fashion. Davie scored to cancel a Maxwell Phodo early goal for the match to go into penalties. And just as he did in 2021, Maganizo missed his penalty to give Bullets a chance to paint the Airtel trophy red again.
Last year, they also met Bullets at Bingu National Stadium and Silver lost 1-0 with Ernest Petro scoring the lone goal.
Today was a third Airtel final meeting between them and the Central Bankers missed the chance to avenge the past. Chisomo Mpachika’s penalty was stopped by Bullets’ Innocent Nyasulu. Zebron Kalima, Maxwell Paipi and Chinsinsi Maonga scored.
Bullets’ Hassan Kajoke sent his penalty off post with Blessings Mpokera, Andrew Jovinala, Dominic Musonda scoring theirs while Ephraim Kondowe hit the decisive penalty to send Bullets into memorised glory.
Silver coach Peter Mgangira said he has lost to a good side. “I am happy with the play, but disappointed with the results. Bullets is a good side managed by a good coach, congratulations to Bullets,” he said.
Bullets coach Peter Mponda was a happy man to have won the match and thanked his boys for the effort.
Lineups:
Bullets: Innocent Nyasulu, Lloyd Aaron, Blessings Mpokera, Mike Mkwate, Chikumbutso Salima, Dominic Musonda, Babatunde Adepoju, Wongani Lungu, Maxwell Phodo, Andrew Jovinala and Chawanangwa Gumbo.
Silver: George Chikooka, Maxwell Paipi, Innocent Shema, Nickson Mwase, Zebron Kalima, Stain Davie, Binwell Katinji, Chisomo Mpachika, Daniel Sandukila, Uchizi Vunga and Levison Maganizo.
