The Bingu National Stadium buzzed with excitement, creating the perfect setting for football lovers to come together.

Fans filled the stands with vibrant colors and cheers, which brought the whole place to life and set the tone for an electrifying match.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets supporters arrived in droves, clad in white and every shade of red, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United, and it didn’t really matter which team they usually backed, as long as it was red.

Meanwhile, Silver Strikers stuck to their familiar sky blue colors. 

Here and there, a few Manchester City and Marseille shirts added a splash of extra flavor to the crowd.

This mix of passion and color is exactly what makes the Airtel Top 8 so special. But beyond the spectacle, it’s the results that truly divide the crowd.

This time around, Bullets were the jubilant victors, while Silver had to swallow a tough loss.

For the second time, Silver have fallen to the People’s Team in nerve-wracking penalty shootouts 4-3, making the defeat all the more painful.

Nigerian talisman Babatunde Adepoju had the chance to open the scoreline through a spot kick in the 16th minute of the first half after Chikumbutso Salima was fouled in the box, but Silver keeper George Chikowoka rose to the occasion, saving it for the match to remain goalless.

Maxwell Gasten Phodo punished his former club in just four minutes of play in the second to lead by a goal to nil making ardent bullets supporters, with their unwavering loyalty and contagious enthusiasm in a fully packed Bingu Stadium.

Stain Davie headed the ball into the net in 65th minute to make it 1-1.

It’s becoming a painful habit for the bankers a sting they surely feel deeply, yet one that fuels their determination.

Bullets have now won the trophy four times, including an impressive three consecutive titles, proving they remain the team to beat.

And even though the tournament only started in 2017 — with just eight editions so far — Bullets have stamped their authority early on.

Perhaps one day soon, the counting will fade into the background, and their fans will simply enjoy the ride, soaking up the joy of the beautiful game.

Levison Maganizo, who missed a crucial penalty in the 2021 final at Kamuzu Stadium against the same Bullets side, relived that heartbreak with another costly miss. This time, Ephraim Kondowe stepped up and calmly slotted home the decisive spot kick, sending waves of passion, energy and joy through the sea of red that filled the Bingu National Stadium for this eighth edition of the Airtel Top 8 final.