* They’re already paid for their job, every player knows his job — we prepare for every match with full responsibility
* After beating city rivals Civil Service United 2-1 yesterday in the second semifinal at Bingu National Stadium
* Following the defending champions Bullets overcoming Karonga United also 2-1 at the same venue on Saturday evening
By Innocent Manda, MANA
Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers are set to rekindle their fierce rivalry in the Airtel Top 8 2025 final scheduled for July 12 at Bingu National Stadium — and the Bankers’ head coach, Peter Mgangira has downplayed any need for special motivation for the players to deliver, saying: “They’re already paid for their job.
Advertisement
“I don’t think they need extra motivation — every player knows his job,” he said. “Injuries are no excuse — we prepare for every match with full responsibility.”
Silver Strikers booked their ticket to the final after defeating city rivals Civl Service United 2-1 in a tense semifinal clash yesterday through goals from Nickson Mwase (63rd minute) and Emmanuel Allan (90+2) sealed the victory, while Peter Ng’ambi pulled one back for the servants (86’).
Mgangira expressed satisfaction after the match, saying the players put in some hard work and the win was what they needed: “It was a tough match, we played with them some two weeks ago and they came to revenge for the win we had two weeks ago,” he is quoted as saying by Silver Strikers Media.
Mgangira (right) up against Peter Mponda (below)
“We were indeed having difficulties to have a good play but we will work on the team and see how we tune up ahead of the final. This was a semifinal match and we should expect tough opposition,” he said.
A day earlier, the defending champions Bullets overcame Karonga United 2-1 under the floodlights with Chikumbutso Salima opening the scoring in the 24th minute, but Karonga equalised shortly after the break.
Hassan Kajoke’s 64th-minute strike ensured the People’s Team held on to progress and Bullets coach Peter Mponda acknowledged the threat posed by Karonga and praised his side’s mental strength.
“Defensively, we were unconvincing, but in terms of chances, they had more, I’m happy with the result and how we responded under pressure,” said Mponda after the match.
Advertisement
This will mark the third time the Bullets and Silver will meet in an Airtel Top 8 final in which Bullets triumphed via penalties after a 1-1 draw in 2021 edition and they retained the title with a narrow 1-0 win over the Bankers in 2024.
Thus the Airtel Top 8 2025 final promises fireworks in what is shaping up to be an epic encounter between two powerhouses of Malawian football.—Additional reporting by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
