Blantyre and Lilongwe derbies set for NBM Women’s Premiership showdown

The Blantyre Derby between Mighty Wanderers and FCB Nyasa Big Bullets carries the same intensity and passion regardless of which sides are competing, whether senior teams, reserve sides, youth teams, or women’s teams.

The two Blantyre football powerhouses will reignite their rivalry in the National Bank of Malawi National Women’s Premiership when Mighty Wanderers Women face FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women in their first-ever meeting in the competition on Sunday.

“Week 7 Derby Clash”

The highly anticipated match comes in week seven, with both teams anxious to claim maximum points and climb up the league table as the competition intensifies.

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The Nomads will be seeking their first home victory in the league after winning all four away matches but losing both home fixtures. They suffered a 2-0 defeat to Ascent Academy and a 1-0 loss to Silver Strikers Women at their own ground.

The People’s Team, meanwhile, have yet to win away from home, losing 3-1 to Ascent Academy and drawing 1-1 with MDF Lioness. However, their home form has been impressive with three wins and just one defeat.

In last season’s regional league, the teams played out a goalless draw in the first round before Bullets Women won 3-0 in the second meeting. However, the Nomads will enter this Sunday’s encounter as favourites for the first time in this fixture.

The Blue camp have been scoring less but their quality of play has seen them defeat big teams like Kukoma Ntopwa Queens and Civil Service Women. The People’s Team, however, have struggled against fellow title contenders, losing to Ntopwa Queens and Silver Ladies while securing victories against all bottom-three teams.

Ahead of the game, Nomads head coach Thom Kazembe said his team is looking forward to the challenge but expects a difficult match.

“We anticipate a tough match as Bullets is a big team, full of experience and are also scoring more goals, but we will try hard to win this game as we are yet to get a win at home,” Kazembe said.

FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women head coach Maggie Chombo-Sadick acknowledged the challenge ahead and promised thorough preparation.

“It is going to be a tough match because Wanderers is playing good football, but we will prepare well for it so that we at least get a better result in this game,” Chombo-Sadick said.

“Lilongwe Derby Takes Center Stage”

The National Women’s Premiership will also feature another derby as Silver Strikers Ladies and Civil Service Women lock horns in the first Lilongwe Derby of the season on Sunday.

The Civil Servants will be looking for a win to move away from the bottom three after collecting six points from one win, three draws, and two losses. The Bankers, however, remain the league’s only unbeaten side with a perfect record of 18 points from six wins in six games.

Another intriguing fixture in Lilongwe sees Ascent Academy host MDF Lioness at the Ascent Ground on Saturday. Just two points separate these teams, with Ascent sitting second on 13 points from four wins, one draw, and one defeat, while Lioness are enjoying excellent recent form. The military side have secured three straight wins to add to two draws and one loss, giving them 11 points in fourth place.

Ntopwa Queens Seek Redemption

After suffering three consecutive defeats and dropping to sixth position, Kukoma Ntopwa Queens will be looking for redemption when they face Moyale Sisters on Saturday at Mzuzu Stadium.

The Bangwe-based side have struggled for consistency this season, recording three wins and three losses for nine points, while Moyale Sisters sit eighth with four points from one win, one draw, and four losses.

Finally, in another Mzuzu fixture, either Topik Academy or MK Academy could claim their first win of the season when they meet in a mini-derby on Sunday morning.

MK Academy will enter as favourites after earning draws against Civil Service Women and Ascent Academy to collect two points, while Topik Academy have lost all six matches this season.

Both teams have struggled in front of goal, scoring just two goals each in the league. However, MK Academy have conceded 11 goals, making them the third-leakiest defense in the competition, while Topik Academy have shipped 26 goals in just six games.

Silver Strikers Ladies, Ascent Academy, and Mighty Wanderers Women currently occupy the top three positions in the league, while Moyale Sisters, MK Academy, and Topik Academy are rooted to the bottom three.