By Suleman Chitera

The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) Referees Committee has appointed seasoned referee Godfrey Nkhakananga to handle the much-anticipated Airtel Top 8 Cup final between Silver Strikers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, slated for this Sunday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

Assisting Nkhakananga on the lines will be Pondamali Tembo from Blantyre and Lameck Phiri from Mzuzu, while Rose Zimba has been named as the fourth official. Veteran match assessor Innocent Kaundula will oversee the officiating panel.

Silver Strikers, two-time champions of the Airtel Top 8 (2017 and 2019), booked their place in this year’s final after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Civil Service United. On the other hand, defending champions FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who have lifted the cup three times (2021, 2023, and 2024), edged out Karonga United with the same 2-1 scoreline to secure their spot in the final.

With pride and bragging rights on the line, both teams will also be eyeing the lucrative K35 million prize set aside for this year’s champions.

The showdown promises fireworks as two of Malawi’s football giants lock horns for the prestigious title.