It is written in the stars that either holders, FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Creck Sporting Club will be the first team to book a spot in the semi-finals of the 2025 Airtel Top 8.
The two sides meet in the quarterfinals second leg match at Nankhaka Stadium this afternoon.
With the scores level following a goal-less stalemate in the first leg at Kamuzu Stadium, the match promises to be an exciting encounter.
But a score draw will be enough to propel Bullets to the semi-finals of the competition due to away goal-rule.
This is a must win match for Creck to progress to the semi-finals.
The odds are stacked against Creck as they are yet to beat Bullets in all competitions.
In their recent meeting, Creck suffered a 4-1 humiliating defeat to Bullets in the league at Kamuzu Stadium.
But last season, Bullets also beat Creck 3-2 at the same venue after a 1-1 stalemate at Civo Stadium. Bullets also beat Creck 1-0 in the Sapitwa 4 Pre-season bonanza in March this year.
Nevertheless, there is renewed hope in Creck camp and they believe it is the right time to exact revenge.
Creck have a chance to write history as they aim to upset holders in their debut appearance in the Airtel Top 8.
Since the Airtel Top 8 was introduced in 2017, Bullets have failed to progress to the semi-finals once.
That was during the inaugural edition when they lost 1-0 to Silver Strikers on aggregate.
Additionally, they did not participate in the 2019 Airtel Top 8 as they were serving a ban for being found guilty of violence during the final which they lost 1-0 to Blue Eagles at Bingu National Stadium, in Lilongwe.
But they have been a common feature in the Airtel Top 8 semi-finals.
So far, Bullets are the only team that has won the competition three times in seven editions. They have made five final appearances.
Sounding calm and composed, Creck Coach Joseph Kamwendo fancies the underdog tag.
“We might be underdogs but this is football. We lost in the league but this is a different game. We will play in front of the home crowd and we will do something special,” Kamwendo said.
Kamwendo has all his weapons available for the clash. George Chaomba, Bright Munthali, Hadji Wali and Bayo Fatao are potential match winners.
But Bullets Coach Peter Mponda recently said his charges will continue from where they left in the first leg.
“We dominated the first leg and created several chances,” Mponda said.
Mponda will rely on Nigerian striker Babatunde Adepoju, Lloyd Aaron, Chikumbutso Salima and Wongani lungu.
The winner between Bullets and Creck will face the winner between Silver Strikers and Moyale Barracks in the semi-finals.
Silver defeated Moyale Barracks 1-0 in the first leg.
In another quarterfinal, Karonga United will host Mighty Wanderers in the second leg at Karonga Stadium tomorrow. Wanderers have an advantage following 1-0 in the first leg.
The winner between Wanderers and Karonga will face either Civil Service United or Mzuzu City Hammers. Civil and Hammers shared the spoils after a goal-less draw.
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