Ascent Thump Topik as Wanderers, Silver Start on High

Ascent Academy have begun their journey in the National Bank of Malawi National Women’s Premiership on a high after thumping Topik Academy 6-0 to top the league standings in Week 1 at Ascent Ground on Sunday afternoon.

Leticia Chinyamula netted a hat-trick to claim the player of the match award, while Fatima Lali got a brace and Mayamiko Mkandawire netted the other as the youngsters ran riot over the Northerners.

Head coach for Ascent Academy, Thom Nkolongo, was, however, not pleased with how his team played in the game despite the win.

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“It is good that we have won, but we didn’t play the way we planned as we were slow when going forward. We have a lot of work to do, but because this is the first game, we will do more in the coming games,” said Nkolongo.

On his part, Topik Academy head coach Levi Mhone attributed the loss to goalkeeping errors in the game.

“We knew that facing Ascent at their actual home is a tough job, but I think our goalkeeper was not good today because most goals that we conceded were scored from a distance. There are many games to come, we will work on it,” said Mhone.

The win means Ascent top the standings with three points from one game, while Topik Academy anchor the 10-team table with no point.

Meanwhile, Silver Strikers Women claimed a massive comeback to kickstart the league with a victory after beating MDF Lioness 1-2 in a match played at the Champions Stadium on Sunday.

Ivy Lifa fired the soldiers ahead in the 21st minute, but Ireen Khumalo levelled the scores in the third minute of added time in the first half before Chisomo Banda netted a winner in the 54th minute for the Bankers.

Head coach for Silver Women, Andrew Chikhosi, was happy with the win but not satisfied with how his side played in the game as they had more pressure, which caused them to miss a lot of chances.

“It was a good game but not entertaining. I think the girls have taken too long on break, so both teams played high balls, and I think they had pressure because this is a national league, but we will work on that,” said Chikhosi.

However, Captain John Kaputa of MDF Lioness said his team did not play well, hence the defeat.

“It was a tough game because in most of our games we have been ending in draws, and today we nearly played another draw. But we made many mistakes, which will be sorted out, and we will record a win in the next game,” said Kaputa.

The win for the Bankers helps them sit third in the standings with three points from one win, while Lioness sit 7th with no point.

In an early kick-off match at the Mzuzu Stadium, Civil Service United Women were held to a goalless draw against Northern Region side MK Academy on Sunday.

Head coach for MK Academy, Khumbo Sibale, hailed his players for a massive performance over a team that thumped them in the previous outing.

“It’s a great improvement from our players because last time we lost 6-0, and now 0-0, meaning we have improved, and we will build from that going ahead,” said Sibale.

On his part, Civil Service Women head coach Collins Pofera blamed the officiation for making poor decisions that cost them a lot in the game.

“During the pre-match meeting, I asked if the officiation would be the same that we used in the region league, because I know it fails to maintain balance. And today it was not good as well. Anyway, we have many games ahead, and we will try to bounce back in our next game,” said Pofera.

Civil are in position five with one point from one game, while MK Academy are a step down in sixth with one point also.

In another match at the Mzuzu Stadium, Mighty Wanderers Women began their campaign with an impressive 0-2 win over Moyale Sisters.

The Nomads put in a massive performance as Tawina Kawaga finished off a ball from Shira Mangani in the 16th minute before Mangani added a second from the spot in the 70th minute to seal the victory.

Head coach for the team, Thom Kazembe, said he was happy to start the season with a win away from home.

“I’m very happy for the win, and I thank my players for the brilliant performance as it was a tough one. This one is gone, and we look forward to our next match against Ascent Academy at home,” said Kazembe.

On his part, John Chimwala of Moyale Sisters said his team struggled because they did not have proper preparations.

“It was not a tough game, but my strikers were not able to put the ball into the net. We did not have time to train because of things that I can’t say,” said Chimwala.

The Nomads are now second in the league with three points from one game, while Moyale sit 9th on the table with no point.

After Week One, four wins and one draw have been recorded in the opening five fixtures, with 12 goals scored in total—half of which came from Ascent Academy.