Civil stun Ntopwa to chalk up second NBM Premiership win

Civil Women secured their second win of the National Bank of Malawi National Women’s Premiership in style after beating Kukoma Ntopwa Queens 1-0 at Mpira Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The Civil servants had a slow start to the game as Ntopwa Queens created several good chances which they failed to convert, before the visitors staged a brilliant second-half performance to secure their second win of the season.

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Mercy Vitumbiko Mkandawire, who played for Ntopwa in the COSAFA CAF Women’s Champions League Qualifiers, was introduced in the 29th minute and scored the only goal of the match in the 50th minute with a sublime finish.

“I don’t know you, we are in different places now. I am at work,” Mkandawire said jokingly to Ntopwa Queens head coach Isaac Jomo Osman when she was being introduced into the game.

After the match, Civil head coach Collins Pofera was delighted with the win, saying his team needed it.

“It was a tough game where we started badly but we managed to contain our opponents. Then in the second half, we came with full energy and we got that goal,” said Pofera.

He also acknowledged that his team has missed numerous chances throughout the season, which has been their main problem, but believes they are gradually improving.

“We have maintained a large number of players who did well in the regional league last season, but we are struggling in the Premiership. I think this win will give us confidence to start doing better now,” said Pofera.

Meanwhile, his opposite number, Isaac Jomo Osman, declined to grant interviews to the media following the disappointing defeat.

With two wins, three draws and three defeats, Civil Women remain seventh in the standings but moved up to nine points. Kukoma Ntopwa Queens dropped to sixth position with 12 points from four wins and four losses.