Airtel Top 8 quarter-finals are delicately poised heading into the second-leg matches, with analysts predicting fierce battles for the four semi-final places.
The second leg shall be held on 11 and 12 July.
While Mighty Wanderers and Silver Strikers hold two-goal advantages from their first-leg victories, the ties involving FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Ekhaya FC, Blue Eagles and Civil Service United remain wide open.
Ex-Bullets player Chimango Kayira has urged his old team to reclaim itself in the second leg of the Airtel Top 8 second season.
The defending champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Ekhaya FC in the first leg at Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe, on 13 June 2026.
George Chaomba had opened the scoring in the 46th minute, after converting from Maxwell Phodo’s assist. However, Ekhaya equalised in the 69th minute via Allen Chihana.
Kayira said in the second leg, Bullets is the only team in the tournament that should not make a mistake.
“Bullets cannot afford to slump. They are the defending champions. However, they will also not walk over Ekhaya. Being a cup game, there are no exceptions that they might be surprised,” he said.
The team’s Assistant Coach, Heston Muthali, said they remain confident.
“We created a lot of chances and now it is about talking to the boys, encouraging them and preparing properly for the second leg so that we can go there and get the win,” Munthali said.
Nonetheless, Kayira backed Ekhaya, saying they are playing a beautiful brand of football.
“We are poised to watch a scintillating encounter,” he said.
In the game, after Ekhaya scored, their compact defensive shape and improved game management stood out, particularly in dealing with sustained spells of pressure from Bullets.
Their coach, Enos Chatama, said his side has a lot of games outside the cup before the second leg and they will prepare only when a week remains for the two to battle it out.
“The boys played very well. We are not satisfied with the result because we had so many chances to bury the game,” Chatama said.
On the same day these two teams met, Blue Eagles and Civil Service United played a 0-0 draw.
Despite this, both teams created chances, but neither side could find the breakthrough.
Blue Eagles started brightly with quick passing and attacks from wide areas, but Civil Service United remained disciplined in defence and managed to frustrate their opponents.
Blue Eagles coach, DeKlerk Msakakuona, said they failed to utilise their chances.
“We created some good situations but failed to convert them. The tie is still open and we will prepare well for the second leg,” said Msakakuona.
Civil Service United coach, Abbas Makawa, said he was satisfied with the result, but insisted the job is not yet done.
“It was a difficult match against a good side. We remained disciplined and achieved a result that keeps us in contention,” said Makawa.
Sports analyst Edwin Banda said in the second leg, Civil might have the upper hand.
“Looking at the previous game, Blue Eagles were poor in defence and the midfield. If CIVO is to win, they have to utilise their offensive strikers,” he said.
However, Banda urged the Blue Eagles coach to solidify their midfield and strikers and encourage the players to try more attempts outside the 18-yard box.
On Sunday, Mighty Wanderers thumped Creck Sporting 2-0, thanks to second-half quick goals in succession from Blessings Mwalilino 47′ and Lameck Mithi 49′.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira commended his players, but said they must remain cautious heading into the return leg.
“It was a good performance and the players showed great character. But knockout football is unpredictable, so we must stay focused and finish the job in the second leg,” said Mpinganjira.
Creck Sporting Club interim coach Chisomo Nkhoma said her team was unlucky.
“We had our moments, but failed to use our chances. Conceding two goals is disappointing, but we still believe we can compete strongly in the second leg,” she said.
The same scoreline was also reflected by Silver Strikers when they defeated Karonga United 2-0. Charles Chipala scored a brace in the first half, on the 11th and 35th minutes.
Silver coach Peter Mgangira praised his team’s discipline, but warned that the tie is not yet over.
“We played well and created several chances. The players followed the game plan and deserved the win, but the job is only halfway done. We must approach the second leg with the same focus,” said Mgangira.
Silver vice-chairperson George Chiusiwa said his side would not take their first-leg advantage for granted.
“The second stanza will be a new game altogether, but with the same level of determination and ambition along this football mission. We respect Karonga United, but our focus remains on completing the task and reaching the semi-finals,” said Chiusiwa.
Karonga United coach Audroy Makonyola admitted his side was second best, but said they can still fight back at home.
“Silver punished us for our mistakes and took their chances well. We are disappointed, but we still have 90 minutes at home and we will fight to overturn the deficit,” said Makonyola.
Sports analyst Alex Paul said Wanderers still have a better edge because their performance was top-notch.
“I think in the second round they will dominate. Creck has many weaknesses, mainly because their midfield is disorganised, but they do have a strong midfield. But if Creck is to turn the tables, their defending and attacking midfielders have to be reworked,” Paul said.
With Wanderers and Silver Strikers carrying two-goal advantages into the second legs, they appear to have one foot in the semi-finals.
However, the ties involving FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, Ekhaya FC, Blue Eagles and Civil Service United remain finely balanced, setting the stage for potentially dramatic quarter-final conclusions.
The semifinals, which will be held on 1 and 2 August, and the final, which will be played on 29 August, shall be played on a knockout basis in single fixtures.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets won the 2025 Airtel Top 8 Cup 4-3 on post-match penalties against Silver Strikers, after the game had ended 1-1 in regulation time.
