Holders FCB Nyasa Big Bullets set up the Airtel Top 8 final clash against Silver Strikers following a 2-0 victory over Kamuzu Barracks at Bingu National Stadium on Sunday.
Silver advanced to the final after beating Mighty Mukuru Wanderers 1-0 in another semifinal played at the same venue on Saturday night.
This will be a repeat of the 2021 Airtel Top 8 final which Bullets triumphed 5-3 on post-match penalties after 1-1 in regulation time at Kamuzu Stadium.
The win over KB means Bullets have reached the fourth consecutive Airtel Top 8 final and fifth overall since the inception of the tournament in 2017.
To make it more interesting, the two finalists are the only teams that have won the Airtel Top 8 twice each.
There is a lot to play for in this Saturday’s Airtel Top 8 final as both Bullets and Silver have a chance to win the tournament for third time.
Ephraim Kondowe and Blessings Mpokera were on target for Bullets. Kondowe drew first blood inside two minutes when he connected a Babatunde Adepoju’s cross from the right flank.
The Soldiers, despite goal down but they were the better side in the first half but lacked composure upfront. Olson Kanjira had a goal disallowed for offside in the second half before substitute Blessings Mpokera sealed the victory for Bullets in the 73rd minute from a direct free kick which beat KB goalkeeper Hastings Banda.
Both sides made several changes before the end of the match. Bullets Coach Kalisto Pasuwa said the early goal demoralised KB.
“Definitely, I think they were abit down after the first goal. KB started the game very well and had it been we did not get an early goal, it could have been a very tough for us,” said Pasuwa.
KB Coach Charles Kamanga conceded defeat.
“First of all , let me thank Bullets as they had a good game plan. They scored the early goal which unsettled us,” said Kamanga.
Bullets are on course to retain the Airtel Top 8 trophy which they won last year after 2-1 victory over Mafco at Kamuzu Stadium.
On the other hand, Silver who were the inaugural winners of the Airtel Top 8 in 2017 after beating Wanderers 10-9 on post-match penalties. They won their second Airtel Top 8 in 2019 after beating Karonga United 1-0 .
