We kick off our Airtel Top 8 Cup title defense with a home fixture against Creck Sporting Club in the first leg of the quarterfinals at Kamuzu Stadium this afternoon. Ahead of our showdown, let’s take a trip down memory lane and recap our journey in the competition since its inception in 2017.
2017 Season
In the tournament’s debut season, we faced Silver Strikers in the quarterfinals. The first leg, played at Bingu National Stadium, ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat for us. In the return leg, despite pressing for a crucial goal, our efforts were thwarted as the Central Bankers clung to their first-leg advantage, sealing a goalless draw. This result sent them to the semifinals, and they ultimately went on to clinch the trophy.
2018 Season
The 2018 season was one of redemption for our team. With Kamuzu Stadium closed, we played our home matches at Kalulu Stadium in Nchalo. In the quarterfinal first leg, we defeated Moyale Barracks 1-0 thanks to Patrick Phiri’s decisive strike. Heading to Mzuzu for the second leg, we secured a draw, which was enough to put us through to the semifinals.
In the semis, we squared off against our city rivals, Mighty Wanderers, at Bingu National Stadium. After a goalless first half, we came alive in the second, scoring two goals through Bright Munthali and Chiukepo Msowoya to seal a 2-1 victory and a spot in the final. Wanderers’ goal came from Zicco Mkanda, who now serves as our strikers’ trainer and performance analyst.
In the final, Blue Eagles edged us 1-0 under controversial circumstances after referee Misheck Juba awarded a late penalty, converted by Stuart Mbunge. This decision led to unrest among supporters, resulting in our suspension from the competition the following year.
2020/21 Season
After serving our one-year ban, we reentered the tournament determined to make an impact. In the quarterfinals, we faced Mafco FC. During the first leg at Kamuzu Stadium, Babatunde Adepoju scored twice, and Hassan Kajoke added another to give us a commanding 3-1 win.
In the second leg at Chitowe Stadium, we overcame an early deficit, winning 2-1, with Babatunde bagging another brace. This secured a 5-2 aggregate victory and propelled us to the semifinals.
Facing Wanderers again at Kamuzu Stadium, we put on a dominant performance, beating our rivals 4-1 with all four goals scored by Babatunde. We marched into the final, where, despite falling behind to Silver Strikers, Lanjesi Nkhoma’s equalizer forced penalties. We triumphed 5-4 in the shootout, with Ernest Kakhobwe saving a crucial penalty and Nickson Nyasulu converting the winning spot-kick.
2022 Season
Our title defense began with an explosive 7-0 home victory against Karonga United in the quarterfinal first leg. The second leg ended in a 1-1 draw, giving us a thumping 8-1 aggregate win and a semifinal showdown with Silver Strikers for the fourth time.
Playing at Kamuzu Stadium, we emerged victorious with a 3-1 win, thanks to goals from Gomezgani Chirwa, Ernest Petro, and Patrick Mwaungulu, setting up a final against Wanderers.
At Bingu National Stadium, a tightly contested final ended goalless in regulation time, forcing penalties. Unfortunately, we fell short as Kesten Simbi missed a crucial spot-kick, and Wanderers claimed their first-ever Airtel Top 8 title.
2023 Season
We opened our 2023 campaign against Civil Service United in a two-legged quarterfinal. The first leg, played away, saw us secure a 2-0 win with goals from Maxwell Phodo and Hassan Kajoke. Despite losing the second leg 2-1, our 3-2 aggregate score advanced us to the semifinals.
In the semis at Bingu National Stadium, we beat Blue Eagles 3-2 with goals from Kajoke, Lanjesi Nkhoma, and Ephraim Kondowe, earning a final showdown against Mafco FC. The final, held at Kamuzu Stadium, ended in a 2-1 victory for us, thanks to a brace from Lanjesi Nkhoma, sealing an unprecedented quadruple.
2024 Season
Last season, we faced Civil Service United in the quarterfinals, securing a 2-0 victory at Kamuzu Stadium with goals from Stanley Billiat and Chawanangwa Gumbo. The goalless second leg ensured our progression to the semifinals, where we met Kamuzu Barracks at Bingu National Stadium. A solid 2-0 win secured our place in the final.
The final brought yet another clash with Silver Strikers, marking our fifth encounter with the Bankers in this competition. Bullets triumphed 1-0, thanks to a powerful second-half header from Ernest Petro, making us the first team to successfully defend the title.
Top Goal Scorer
Babatunde Adepoju sits atop the scoring charts for the Airtel Top 8 with eight goals.
