Silver Strikers and Premier Bet Dedza Dynamos face-off in Airtel Top 8 first leg quarterfinal tie at Silver Stadium this afternoon.

The two teams are familiar foes in domestic football. Silver and Dedza met during the 2022 FDH Bank Cup Round of 16. Dedza triumphed 5-4 on post-match penalties after regulation time ended goal-less at Dedza Stadium.

Two year later, they face again but in the Airtel Top 8 quarterfinals.

In league matches, Dedza also beat Silver 1-0 in a second round at Champion Stadium after the first round ended goal-less at Dedza Stadium.

The match between the two sides also ended goal-less in the league at the same venue. Both teams are going into the match after their respective matches ended in 1-1 draws over the weekend.

Silver were held to a 1-1 draw by Moyale Barracks at home for the first time this season while Dedza drew by the similar margin against Creck Sporting Club at Dedza Stadium.

Silver coach Peter Mponda said he expects a tough match against Dedza.

However, Mponda said it would be important to use home ground advantage in the first leg.

’’We know the importance of using home ground advantage. It is a two legged match so we need to win at home convincingly,’’ said Mponda.

Dedza coach Andrew Bunya said: ” We prepared for the encounter and we know we are facing a team which is doing well in the league we are ready to upset the table. We know Silver have a lot of quality and we also have quality. Playing away this is an advantage to us to but we need to get a good result so that we have an easy return leg.

Dedza will host Silver in the second leg on September 29 at Dedza Stadium.

The seventh edition of the Airtel Top 8 got underway on Saturday as defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets beat Civil Service United 2-0 at Kamuzu Stadium.

In other matches played on Sunday, Mighty Mukuru Wanderers defeated Bangwe All Stars 1-0 at the same venue while Chitipa United eased past Kamuzu Barracks 2-0 at Karonga Ground.