Since its inception in 2017, the Airtel Top 8 has grown into more than just a football tournament—it’s become a proving ground for supremacy in Malawian football. Here, reputations are forged, rivalries reignited, and legacies built. One fact, however, has remained unchanged: no final has ever been staged without the presence of either FCB Nyasa Big Bullets or Silver Strikers FC.
The 2025 final once again features these two giants, marking their third head-to-head clash in this prestigious competition. FCB Nyasa Big Bullets enter with the swagger of seasoned champions. Having reached five previous finals and lifted the trophy four times, including two wins over Silver Strikers, they have repeatedly proven their ability to perform under pressure.
Silver Strikers are no strangers to this stage either. This marks their fourth final appearance, and while they trail Bullets in silverware, their path has been paved with determination and ambition. This year, they’ve shown steel and strategy, knocking out Moyale Barracks and Civo Service United with authority.
Adding a dramatic subplot to this year’s final is the story on the touchline. Peter Mponda, who once guided Silver Strikers, now leads Big Bullets after crossing the divide ahead of the 2025 season. His former assistant, Peter Mgangira, now holds the reins at Silver. Their duel is more than tactical—it’s personal. A showdown between two minds shaped by shared history, now leading rival camps.
The road to the final has been hard-fought for both sides. Big Bullets narrowly edged out CRECK Sporting Club in the quarterfinals, thanks to an away goal from Maxwell Phodo after a first-leg stalemate. In the semis, they battled past Karonga United with a 2-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Chikumbutso Salima and Hassan Kajoke.
Silver Strikers, on the other hand, marched forward with greater dominance. They swept aside Moyale Barracks FC 4-1 on aggregate, with Festus Duwe netting a hat trick and Stain Davie adding another. Their semifinal against Civo Service United carried the intensity of a local derby, with goals from Nickson Mwase and Emmanuel Allan sealing their place in the final.
Beyond the clubs, the Airtel Top 8 has become a map of Malawian footballing identity. Central Region teams—Silver, MAFCO FC, Blue Eagles—have featured prominently. The Southern Region, led by Big Bullets and Wanderers, has matched that fervor. Meanwhile, the Northern Region, represented memorably by Karonga United in 2019, still waits for its breakthrough moment.
