Silver Strikers Ladies formally crowned champions
* They went for the half time break leading 8-0 and Chinyamula then claimed her second hat-trick in the 72nd and her third in the 80th
* Champions Silver Strikers wrapped up their season by beating 3rd-placed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 2-1 as they were formally crowned queens of the inaugural top tier women’s football system
By Duncan Mlanjira
Ascent Soccer wrapped up the inaugural National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Women’s Premiership in style on Sunday by thrashing relegated Moyale Sisters 15-0 in which international Leticia Chinyamula claimed three hat-tricks and provided some assists.
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They went for the half time break leading 8-0 through goals from Alepha Chimbeta in the 3rd minute of the match; Chinyamula’s first hat-trick in 9’, 18’, and 27’ and her 4th goal in the 37’; a brace from Mayamiko Mkandawire and Fatima Lali’s 35th minute strike.
Chinyamula then claimed her second hat-trick in the 72nd and her third in the 80th before Maureen Kenneth made it 15-0 through her brace in 87th and 89th.
Ascent have ended the season as runners-up with 38 points, seven behind champions Silver Strikers, who wrapped up their season by beating 3rd-placed FCB Nyasa Big Bullets 2-1 played at Silver Strikers where they were formally crowned queens of the inaugural top tier women’s football system.
The title-awarding match was watched by high profile officials led by Minister of Sports, Youth & Culture, Patricia Wiskes; Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president, Fleetwood Haiya; National Women’s Football Association (NWFA) chairperson, Adelaide Migogo; NBM Chief Finance Officer, Daniel Jere; representatives from Silver’s sponsors, the Reserve Bank of Malawi among others.
It was also spiced by performance by popular artist Jetu, who mesmerised the huge patronage with her rendition of ‘Ona Pangolin’ — a hit that is on high demand on the radio airwaves, which FAM and NBM chose as the tournament’s rendition anthem.
It was a well-contested encounter in which the Bullets Women took the lead after 37th minute through Chimwemwe Sapangwa but two minutes later they conceded a penalty following a foul committed by Bullets defender on Silver Ladies’ goal poacher Deborah Henry.
Ireen Khumalo converted from the spot to equalise and rest the match at 1-1 going for the break, from which the champions took the lead in the 62nd through Wezzie Mvula after releasing a well-curved shot which sailed to the right corner beating Bullets goalkeeper Bridget Malemia.
Classic; Silver’s Tionge Phiri against Bullets Women’s Carol Puna Mulenzo during the match
The Bullets Women were aiming for a win in order to maintain their 3rd place as they were just 3 points ahead of MDF Lionesses and Civil Service Women on 4th and 5th place respectively.
MDF Lionesses went on to beat relegated Topik Academy 4-0 with a brace from international Catherine Kachala (7’, 75’) and one each from Mervin Misomali (18’) and another international Sabina Thom (52’).
Thus the Bullets Women tie on 31 points with MDF Lionesses but the Kamuzu Barracks-based side have taken over the 3rd place due to goal difference, while Civil Service Women drew 0-0 with Kukoma Ntopwa Women to maintain their 5th place.
Mighty Wanderers Queens concluded their campaign with 23 points, three of which they were awarded after relegated Mzuzu-based MK Academy failed to pitch up at Mpira Stadium.
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