The eighth  Airtel Top 8 Cup gets underway this Saturday as defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets hosts debutants CRECK Sporting at the Kamuzu Stadium Club in a high-stakes showdown.

Having finished 3rd and 6th in the TNM Super League respectively last season, the two sides were automatically paired, setting up a fourth meeting between them.

Their first league clash last season ended in a 1 all draw, while Bullets won the second round tie 3-2 win.

The two teams also squared off on May 22 at Mulanje Park in the Sapitwa Big 4 Tournament, where Bullets claimed a narrow 1-0 victory.

Going into Saturday’s match, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets assistant coach Gilbert Chirwa says his side is fully prepared and ready to handle the pressure of a cup fixture as they look forward to retain the trophy.

“As Champions, we are prepared. We know we are meeting CRECK who are also a good side. They haven’t started well in the league but tomorrow’s is a different game. I believe tomorrow Bullets are going to come and play against a a good side but we are going to play to our best,” said Chirwa.

However, Bullets will go into the tie without defenders Chrispin Mapemba, Chikumbutso Henderson, and attacker Peter Banda who are all ruled out due to injuries.

Team captain Clyde Senaji says the squad is motivated and determined to defend their title.

“As a playing unit, we are all set for the competition. As far as we are concerned, the cup is still under our name and we will do everything in our capacity to make sure we defend the cup. Bullets is a team that has winning in the DNA, so as players, we approach every game with a winning mentality,” Senaji shared.

On the opposite bench, CRECK Sporting Club head coach Joseph Kamwendo says his team is embracing the challenge with everything they’ve got.

“We are ready for the game, knowing the importance of the first leg. We know it will not be easy for us, we are playing a team (Bullets) that has rich history in Malawian football and on top of that they are the defending champions, so we are prepared because we understand that cup games are unpredictable so we are looking at the game as a big opportunity to fight for a slot in the semi finals even though we know it will not be easy for us.

“We are coming from a disappointing result in the league against Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos but this is a cup game and we will do everything to turn things around as we believe we are more prepared now and we have gotten lessons from the result against Dedza,” explained Kamwendo.

CRECK skipper Hadji Wali is equally upbeat and says his teammates are determined to make an impact in their first-ever Airtel Top 8 appearance.

“I can say it will be a good game as we are more prepared now. We have agreed to seek an early goal to disturb Bullets’ tactical plan. We have played before and they only narrowly escaped this time around, we want to be winners at the end of 90 minutes,” Wali explained.

While Bullets are dealing with notable injury absences, CRECK Sporting will enter the clash with a full-strength squad something they can hope to use to their advantage.