* As the Bankers face the other semifinal winner between Kamuzu Barracks and defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets this afternoon
* We had an exciting game as we created a lot of scoring opportunities but couldn’t turn them into goals
* We are happy to have proceeded to the final and we will look forward to seeing how it ends
Maravi Express
Since its inception in 2017, Silver Strikers have never lost an Airtel Top 8 match against Mighty Wanderers and the unbeaten run continued yesterday as the Bankers beat the Lali Lubani Road-based outfit 1-0 in the semifinal at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
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Silver will face the other semifinal winner between Kamuzu Barracks and defending champions Nyasa Big Bullets at the same venue this afternoon.
The match will also be streamed live on Mpira TV and FIFA+ through the link; https://www.plus.fifa.com/en/content/fcb-nyasa-big-bullets-v-kamuzu-barracks-semi-finals-airtel-top-8-2024-malawi-2024/26ed2b75-a9cf-42fc-81ff-6fd9e985581b
A report by Silver Media platform quotes coach Peter Mponda as saying it was a tough game against the Nomads: “We had an exciting game as we created a lot of scoring opportunities but couldn’t turn them into goals. We are happy to have proceeded to the final and we will look forward to seeing how it ends.”
The lone goal was scored in the 8th minutes by Binwell Katinji after a defensive lapse by the Wanderers’ defenders.
Both teams paced forward in search of goals with several missed chances and the the 76th minute, Silver’s Nickson Mwase got his matching orders after a reckless foul on Wisdom Mpinganjira.
Mighty Wanderers tried to take advantage of advantage in numbers but it was goalkeeper George Chikooka who saved the day for the Bankers.
Since its inception in 2017, Bullets and Silver Strikers are the only sides that have won the Airtel Top 8 twice each — Silver in inaugural championship in 2017 when they beat Wanderers 10-9 on post-match penalties after goal-less in regulation time.
They won it again after beating Karonga United 1-0 in 2019 while Nyasa Big Bullets won their first Airtel Top 8 title in 2021 following 5-3 win over Silver Strikers on post-match penalties before they triumphed 2-1 over MAFCO last year.
Blue Eagles won it in 2018 while Kamuzu Barracks will appear in the final match for the first time if they manage to beat the defending champions today.
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