Silver Strikers and Mighty Wanderers have an advantage going into their respective second legs of the Airtel Top 8 quarter-finals 2026 edition after winning the first legs yesterday by 2-0 margins against Karonga United and Creck Sporting Club, respectively.
At Silver Stadium in Lilongwe, the Bankers were two up at half time courtesy of striker Charles Chipala’s brace.
He broke the deadlock in the 11th minute after being set up by Festus Duwe.
Chipala then claimed a brace in the 34th minute with a tap-in from a MacDonald Lameck delivery.
He had a chance to claim a hat-trick moments later through a penalty after being fouled in the box by defender Lovemore Ngolombe, but his spot-kick was kept out by Karonga United goalkeeper Eddie Jamu.
The foul led to Ngolombe being sent out for an early shower following a second booking.
In a post-match interview, Silver coach Peter ‘Shoes’ Mgangira said while he was happy with the victory, he was disappointed that his charges couldn’t score more goals.
“It is a very disappointing result looking at the chances we missed. We were supposed to score a minimum of five goals. Anyway, we are happy for the win, but we have to work on finishing,” he said.
On the other hand, Ingwina ya Karonga coach Audilow Makonyola blamed the loss on lapses in concentration.
“But we still have a chance to recover in the second leg. So, we will work on our shortfalls,” he said.
At Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre, after a goalless first half, Mighty Wanderers came with renewed purpose in the second half with two quick goals against Creck Sporting Club of Lilongwe.
The Nomads drew first blood in the 47th minute through Blessings Mwalilino.
Before the dust settled after the opener, the Nomads doubled the lead two minutes later through their new-signing assassin Lameck Mithi who was set up by Isaac ‘Tcheya’ Kaliyati.
Creck Sporting Club’s new coach Ernest ‘Wire’ Mtawali watched the action from the stands and was seen taking down notes before getting down to work next week.
The team’s interim coach Chisomo Nkhoma said their plan was to control the midfield and it worked, but the defence let them down.
“But in the second half, the defence wasn’t well organised which led to the two goals. Our biggest problem is confidence and composure upfront,” she said.
Wanderers coach Bob Mpinganjira described it as a tough match.
“Creck Sporting came hard on us, it’s good that we got the two goals in the second half, but it’s not over yet,” he said.
In other matches played on Saturday, holders FCB Nyasa Bullets were held to a one-all draw by fellow Blantyre side Ekhaya FC while Blue Eagles and Civil Service United also played out a goalless draw. Both matches were played at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.
