By Staff Reporter

Mighty Mukuru Wanderers have won their first Airtel Top 8 title with a 5-3 win over city rivals Nyasa Big Bullets on post match penalties after a barren draw in the regulation time.

In a match that was played at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, both sides struggled to create scoring opportunities in the first half but the Nomads played well in the second half.

The Nomads created a number of scoring opportunities especially in the dying minutes of the match but they still failed to find the back of the net and the match was to be decided by the spot kicks.

Wanderers scored all their penalties through captain Stanley Sanudi, Francis Mkonda, Miracle Gabeya, Peter Cholopi and Vincent Nyangulu.

On the other hand Hassan Kajoke, Yamikani Fodya, and Babatude Adepoju scored the penalty kicks for the People’s team while Keston Simbi missed his spot kick.

The Lali Lubani boys have won the competition which was launched in 2017, without conceding a goal in regulation time.

As winners, the Nomads have received K17 million from Airtel while Bullets has pocketed K6 million and each participating team will receive K1 million.

Wanderers’ Chiukepo Msowoya, Bullets’ Lanjesi Nkhoma and Clement Nyondo from Dedza Dynamos have finished as top goal scorers with two goals.

The Airtel Top 8 win has ended Wanderers’ four-year trophy drought as the Nomads won their last competition in 2017 and it was the TNM Super League.

For coach Mark Harrison, this is the second trophy of his career as a manager after winning the 2015-16 with Township Rollers of Botswana.