FCB Nyasa Big Bullets summoned it’s experience to solidify their legacy as kings of the Airtel Top 8 with a pulsating 4-3 victory on penalties over rivals Silver Strikers after a 1-1 stalemate in regulation time at Bingu National Stadium on Sunday.
With this win, Bullets are not only defended their title for the third consecutive year but also became the first team to win the Airtel Top 8 an unprecedented four times—previously lifting the trophy in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
The match had all the ingredients of a classic—early missed chances, passionate supporters, a penalty save, late heroics, and a shootout drenched in nerves.
In the end, it was Ephraim Kondowe who wrote himself into the annals of Bullets folklore, smashing home the winning penalty to send the “Maule” faithful into raptures.
The match began at breakneck speed. Silver Strikers, buoyed by their boisterous traveling support, dictated the early tempo, pressing high and winning three corners within the opening 18 minutes.
But the turning point of the first half arrived in the 14th minute when Chikumbutso Salima was bundled inside the box.
Bullets’ talisman Babatunde Adepoju stepped up—but his tame effort was brilliantly saved by George Chikooka, who dived low to deny the reigning champions an early lead.
That miss breathed new life into the Bankers, who carved out several chances through Innocent Shema, Chisomo Mpachika, and Stain Dave, but lacked the finishing edge.
Meanwhile, Bullets slowly found their rhythm, with Lloyd Aaron and Gumbo combining to threaten Silver’s flanks.
Chikooka nearly turned villain in the 25th minute, handling outside the area and escaping with a warning. But the deadlock remained, as both sides squandered late chances to go into halftime goalless.
Five minutes after the restart, chaos reigned in Silver’s box. A failure to clear their lines allowed Gastin Phodo to pounce, calmly placing the ball into the bottom corner to give Bullets a deserved 1-0 lead.
But Silver responded with character. Zebron Kalima, a thorn in Bullets’ side all evening, picked out Stain Dave with a perfect through-ball in the 65th minute. Dave, unmarked, coolly slotted past Innocent Nyasulu to level the tie—his second goal of the tournament.
Silver nearly snatched the lead five minutes later when Kalima dazzled down the right wing, only to be denied by Nyasulu’s quick reflexes.
As tensions rose, coaches turned to their benches. Bullets introduced Frank Willard and Hassan Kajoke, while Silver brought on Innocent Mtonga and Chinsinsi Maonga, injecting fresh legs into the midfield battle.
The final 15 minutes were end-to-end. Salima teed up Peter Banda, whose shot in the 75th was parried wide. Dave’s long-range effort in the 78th was equally threatening. But despite chances at both ends—including a missed sitter by Kalima in the 82nd—the tie headed into penalties.
Silver Strikers’ demons resurfaced early in the shootout. Chisomo Mpachika’s opening kick was saved brilliantly by Nyasulu, giving Bullets the edge.
But Kajoke, uncharacteristically, blazed his effort over the bar, swinging momentum back.
Maonga and Musonda both converted.
Maxwell Paipi smashed his into the top corner, matched by Jovinala.
Kalima blasted in another rocket, but Mpokera responded for Bullets—just enough to beat Chikooka’s fingertips.
Levison Maganizo, remembered for his missed penalty in the 2021 final against the same opposition, stepped up with ghosts of the past swirling around him. And heartbreak struck again—his shot soared over the bar, a haunting déjà vu.
That left Ephraim Kondowe with the chance to seal it. As a chorus of “Maule popita munditemenge!” echoed around the stadium, Kondowe buried his strike into the top corner, triggering wild celebrations and a sea of red in the stands.
In an interview Bullets Head Coach Peter Mponda said; ” The result vindicates the effort put up by his charges.”
On the other hand Silver Strikers teacher Peter Mgangira said it wasn’t an easy match.
“It was a tough game and you all know that. But Bullets were lucky to have scored all their penalties,” said Mgangira.
Despite Silver’s loss, their promising striker Festus Duwe walked away with the Golden Boot, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer.
Bullets bagged K35 million in prize money, while Silver Strikers took home K12 million—a painful consolation in a final they’ll want to forget quickly.
With four titles in the bank and three in a row, Kalisto Pasuwa’s Bullets have now firmly cemented their dynasty in the Airtel Top 8 era.
