Silver Ladies crush Ntopwa to open five-point lead as Wanderers stun Civil

Silver Strikers Ladies have opened a five-point gap ahead of second-placed Ascent Academy after maintaining their perfect record in the National Bank of Malawi National Women’s Premiership following their 3-1 win over Kukoma Ntopwa Queens at Mpira Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Bankers are yet to drop a single point this season, having won all six of their games. They exacted sweet revenge against the Amaghetto Kids, who defeated them in last year’s Goshen City National tournament final.

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The Bankers took the lead through Grace Kakangula, who tapped in a pass from Yamikani Mhango in the 12th minute, before Deborah Henry doubled the score from a rebound after Emily Nkhwazi fumbled Ireen Khumalo’s shot in the 25th minute.

The hosts settled into the game from the half-hour mark until halftime and replicated the same performance in the second half. However, they were stunned by a quick counter-attack in which Kakangula dribbled past a defender before setting up Henry for her eighth goal of the season in the 66th minute.

Ntopwa pulled one back through substitute Kondawo Banda nine minutes later. The forward was then denied by the woodwork as Ntopwa pressed for more goals, but the Bankers held firm to secure the victory.

Head coach Andrew Chikhosi was pleased with the result, saying they need to accumulate points before the league intensifies in the coming weeks.

“We cannot say the league is becoming simple for us, but we are in the early stages where teams are still in the building process. I’m happy that we are able to take points in every game we play,” said Chikhosi.

Meanwhile, Kukoma Ntopwa Queens have now lost three successive league games and six in all competitions. Head coach Isaac Jomo Osman said the team is slowly adapting to the national league.

“Every season I promote new players to the team, so this is a national league and we are building another team that is still learning. Today we had Emily Nkhwazi as goalkeeper to prepare her in advance for when Mercy [Sikelo] retires. I trust the process,” said Osman.

The Bankers now have 18 points from six games this season at the top of the standings, five points ahead of Ascent Academy. Kukoma Ntopwa Queens remain on nine points from three wins and three defeats in fifth position.

Wanderers snatch late winner in Lilongwe

In Lilongwe, Mighty Wanderers Women maintained their 100 percent away record after netting an 88th-minute winner to secure their fourth win of the season over Civil Service Women at Civo Stadium.

The Nomads have a remarkable statistic in the league: all their wins have come away from home, while their losses occurred at their home ground.

Against Civil, the two teams played a tight match that looked destined for a draw until Tawina Kawaga netted her third goal of the season two minutes from time to secure the win.

Head coach for the Nomads, Thom Kazembe, said the game was tough but he was pleased to collect three important points.

“It was a tough match as we started on a low note. We were second to the ball and respected our opponents, allowing them to dominate us. But in the second half we talked to the girls, then we improved and got that goal,” said Kazembe.

Civil Service head coach Linda Kasenda described the defeat as painful, saying they missed numerous chances.

“It’s a painful loss because it came in a game where we played very well and created many scoring chances but still missed them. We need to look at our striking force so that we do better in our coming matches,” said Kasenda.

The win took the Nomads to 12 points from four wins and two defeats in third position, while Civil Service United Women are seventh with six points from one win, three draws, and two defeats.

Bullets Match Postponed

In Blantyre, the match between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets Women and Topik Academy failed to take place as the Northern Region side did not show up at Kamuzu Stadium due to financial constraints.

The People’s Team arrived at Kamuzu Stadium alongside the officiating panel, who called off the match after 30 minutes. However, the Football Association of Malawi rescheduled the game for Tuesday two hours later.

Silver Strikers forward Deborah Henry has taken the golden boot race by storm, now with eight goals in the league—three more than Ascent Academy duo Leticia Chinyamula and Mayamiko Mkandawire, who both have five goals each.