* Beaten 2-1 by Zambia’s ZESCO Ndola in semifinals — but an achievement as they are the first Malawian women football club to qualify for the knockout stages
* The third Malawian women’s team to participate in the regional qualifiers of the CAF Women’s Champions League after Ntopwa Women and Ascent Soccer
By Duncan Mlanjira
Silver Strikers Ladies fought to the end after conceding two early goals in the 11th minute and the 17th to lose 1-2 to ZESCO Ndola Girls to bow out of the CAF Women’s Champions League-COSAFA Qualifier in the debut appearance.
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The Bankers clung on and fought back and pulled one back in the 63rd minute through Carolyne Mathyola.
They also got lucky in the 75th when the referee awarded ZESCO Ndola a penalty after a foul in the box but VAR ruled out the referee.
According to match updates posted by Silver Strkers Media, it was a high intensity encounter right from the beginning and the Zambia took the lead in the 11th minute following a move from the right that broke the Bankers’ defense apart.
Six minutes later, the Bankers lost possession in the midfield and international Eneless Phiri spotted Charity Mubanga who slotted home their second goal.
In the second half, the Bankers pulled one back in the 63rd when Carolyne Mathyola — who scored a hat-trick when they beat eSwatini side Nsingizini Hotspurs 5-1 — slotted home a clearance by the defence.
Malawi international Ireen Khumalo provided the cross inside the box and hard they fought, ZESCO managed to defend their lead up to 90’+5’.
However, This was an achievement as they are the first Malawian women football club to qualify for the knockout stages of the CAF Women’s Champions League — and much so on their debut.
They are the third Malawian women’s team to participate in the regional qualifiers after Ntopwa Women and Ascent Soccer, who hosted the event last year.
Silver Ladies qualified having been champions of the inaugural national Women’s Premiership sponsored by National Bank of Malawi.
They finished on a 98% winning record and their top striker Deborah — who suffered a serious injury in the first group match and missed all the following three — won the Golden Boot and Player of the Season awards.
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