FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have won the 2025 Airtel Top 8 Cup 4-3 on post-match penalties against Silver Strikers, after it ended 1-1 in regulation time at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday.
This means FCB Nyasa Big Bullets have defended their title three times in a row and have won it four times, having won it in 2021, 2023 and 2024. Interestingly, this was also both teams 5th Airtel Top 8 final.
Both goals came in the early minutes of the second-half.
Bullets utilised an opportunity scored from a corner kick taken by Peter Banda which found Maxwell Gastin Phodo to head it into the bottom left corner past George Chikooka in the 50th minute.
Below is Phodo’s goal, courtesy of Bullets Media
In the 65th minute, Silver Strikers when Zebron Kalima slipped the ball to Stain Dave, who made no mistake from close range to level the score 1-1.
Despite Silver Strikers losing, their youngster, Festus Duwe, bagged the Airtel Top 2025 Season top goal scorer accolade, with three goals under his name.
Penalty Shoot Out
The shootout began with pressure thick in the air, and Silver Strikers blinked first.
Chisomo Mpachika stepped up for the opening kick but saw his effort saved by Bullets’ keeper, Innocent Nyasulu, setting the tone for a nervy shootout.
However, Bullets failed to capitalise. Hassan Kajoke, usually reliable from the spot, sent his penalty high over the bar—wasting the early advantage.
Momentum Swings Back and Forth
Chinsinsi Maonga restored calm for Silver with a composed finish into the bottom left corner, sending the keeper the wrong way.
Bullets responded through Dominic Musonda, who levelled with a precise strike into the bottom right corner.
Maxwell Paipi followed for Silver with a thunderous effort into the top right corner—unstoppable.
But Bullets matched again, as Andrew Jovinala scored despite Chikooka guessing the right way.
Zebron Kalima then made it 3-2 for Silver with another top-corner rocket.
Bullets stayed in it thanks to Blessings Mpokera, who slotted his shot low to the left—Chikooka got a touch but couldn’t keep it out.
High Drama: Silver Crumble
With scores tied at 3-3, Levison Maganizo had a golden chance to give Silver the edge, but he cracked under pressure—blazing his shot over the crossbar and silencing the Silver faithful.
Below are some of the penalties, courtesy of Silver Strikers Media
This was a nostalgic feeling because Maganizo also missed on a decider against the same side in 2021.
That left the stage to Ephraim Kondowe for Bullets.
As the crowd erupted into a chorus of “Maule popita munditenge!”, Kondowe remained composed and rifled his shot into the top left corner, sealing a famous 4-3 victory in the shootout.
First-Half
Initially, the game started with urgency, Silver Strikers pressing high and dominating the early minutes. Though they controlled possession, their attack lacked sharpness and failed to threaten Bullets’ goal.
The defining moment came in the 14th minute when Chikumbutso Salima was brought down inside the box, earning Bullets a penalty.
Babatunde Adepoju stepped up, but his spot-kick was brilliantly saved by George Chikooka, who dived low to his left, denying the forward and sparking celebrations from the Silver fans.
Silver Strikers responded with a wave of attacks, earning three corners by the 18th minute.
However, Binwell Katinji could not capitalise, and their final delivery in the box lacked conviction.
Despite their pressure, Bullets began to grow into the game, building from the back with Salima and Lloyd Aaron combining well on the flanks.
Innocent Shema, Chisomo Mpachika and Stane Dave all had chances to put the Central Bankers in front, but their efforts missed the target or were easily collected.
In one standout move, Shema fired wide after a smooth counterattack initiated by Paipi.
Bullets found their rhythm around the 25-minute mark when a defensive lapse saw Chikooka commit a foul outside his area as he handled the ball outside his designated area, but the following free-kick by Wongani Lungu was saved.
Chawanangwa Gumbo, proving lively for Bullets, was fouled twice in quick succession, earning his side set-piece chances that ultimately went unconverted.
Silver began launching dangerous counterattacks in the final 10 minutes, largely orchestrated by Innocent Shema.
One promising move saw Katinji, Innocent Shema, and Stane Dave link up, but Dave’s final effort was ruled offside after a defensive lapse from Bullets.
Second-Half
In the Second-Half, Bullets were on top of their game, evidenced by Phodo’s goal in the 50th minute.
However, Silver Strikers responded after two substitutions bringing in Innocent Mtonga for Innocent Shema, and Chinsisi Maonga for Binwell Katinji.
They started pressurising and it paid off in the 65th minute when Dave scored via a header to the left bottom corner from a Zebron Kalima’s cross.
It was his second goal of this year’s campaign.
Silver Strikers nearly took the lead five minutes later when Kalima dazzled on the right wing, dancing past defenders before forcing a save from Bullets’ keeper.
At the other end, Bullets introduced Frank Willard and Hassan Kajoke as reinforcements, while Phodo and Banega made way.
The match grew in tempo and tension.
Salima’s run on the left led to a pass for Peter Banda, whose shot was parried by Chikooka in the 75th minute.
Dave tried his luck again with a long-range effort in the 78th, but once again, the keeper was alert.
Kalima also missed a glorious chance in the 82nd minute after a brilliant pass from Dave.
As the clock ticked towards full-time, Bullets threw numbers forward.
Peter Banda and Salima led a series of late attacks, but poor finishing denied them a winner.
In the 87th minute, Salima teed up Banda again, but his effort lacked power.
Then in the dying minutes, Bullets made their final substitution with Wongani Lungu replacing Paul Master.
After 90 minutes, five minutes were added by referee Godfrey Nkhakananga, but neither side could break the deadlock.
In post-match interviews, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets’ Coach, Peter Mponda, hailed his charges because they were brave when they conceded and managed to dominate much of the game.
“I am very happy with the way we played in the 90 minutes, though we conceded a goal from sloppy defending. Kudos to the players for keeping their cool heads during the penalty shootouts,” Mponda said.
Silver Strikers’ Coach, Peter Mgangira, said he witnessed a good game and congratulated their opponents for carrying the day, but lamented that his side squandered many chances.
“Of course I am not happy with the results, but I am really proud of my boys. They put up a gallant fight. It was a cup final and we lost in the penalties. Penalties… it is like a gamble. All in all, we had a very good game, especially in the second half,” Mgangira said.
Bullets have since pocketed K35 million, the prize money from Airtel Malawi, the sponsors.
In addition to that, First Capital Bank, one of the team’s sponsors, said their players will get K500, 000.
According to the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), the match, which saw the stadium packed up nearly to the capacity, accumulated K216 million of revenue.
FAM President Fleetwood Haiya wrote on his Facebook page that Malawi’s football history is being re-written.
“The transformational agenda is firmly on track with this remarkable milestone,” he said.
FCB Nyasa Big Bullets went into the final match after they defeated Karonga United 2-1, under floodlights, at the same venue.
On the other hand, Silver Strikers reached the last stop after defeating Civil Service United 2-1 at the Bingu National Stadium.
