Osman questions ‘unfair’ fixture decision as Ntopwa face travel disruption

Kukoma Ntopwa Women’s head coach Isaac Jomo Osman saw his side fall 1-0 to Mighty Wanderers Queens in the NBM Women’s Premiership at Mpira Stadium on Friday, August 15.

Osman was not critical of his players’ performance but instead expressed deep disappointment at the decision by organizers to hand Ntopwa a fixture on the same day the team was scheduled to travel to South Africa for the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers.

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“We are supposed to leave for South Africa today and it was difficult for the players to focus on the game. I do not understand why the officials, the mother body, decided to give us a match on a travel day. The players were afraid of picking up injuries. It is not fair,” Osman lamented.

He stressed that the timing of the game was disruptive and unnecessary, leading to divided attention and a lack of intensity from his players. Osman believes the decision affected the team’s readiness and morale ahead of their continental campaign. Due to the fixture, the team has shifted their travel schedule to Monday.

Despite the setback, Osman said the match served as a reality check before their trip and the team will use it to address areas that need improvement.

Ntopwa are making their second appearance at the CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA Qualifiers after debuting in 2023, where they registered a 1-1 draw with Lesotho Defence Force, a 1-0 loss to Green Buffaloes of Zambia and a 4-0 defeat to Double Action from Botswana.

This year, Ntopwa are in Group A alongside two-time winners Mamelodi Sundowns, ZESCO Ndola Girls of Zambia and Beauties FC of Namibia.

The tournament runs from August 22 to 31, and Osman remains optimistic that his team can cause surprises and make a positive statement in South Africa.