Malawi internationals Asimenye Simwaka, Patricia Nyirenda and goalkeeper Yamikani Kaonga fail to break strongly determined debutants Rumphi Sisters

* The NBM Women’s Premiership rookies celebrated Mother’s Day in style by recording their first win beating experienced MDF Lionesses 2-1 away at Nankhaka

* While FACT Ladies beat fellow debutants 3-1 Chitoliro Heroines to climb up the ladder to 4th place ahead of other assignments on Saturday and Sunday 

By Duncan Mlanjira

NBM Women’s Premiership debutants celebrated Mother’s Day in style by recording their first win in their 4th appearance, beating experienced MDF Lionesses 2-1 and away at Nankhaka.

The Lionesses boast of three Malawi internationals, forward Asimenye Simwaka, defender Patricia Nyirenda and goalkeeper Yamikani Kaonga, who went into the match straight from national duty in Harare.

Asimenye scored the 6th goal when the Scorchers annihilated Zimbabwe 7-0 in the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 qualifier in Harare while defender Patricia Nyirenda and goalkeeper Kaonga were unused subs.

But the rookies were on the front foot right from the start by taking the lead in the 3rd minute through Queen Kumwenda.

And she achieved it by going past international Patricia Nyirenda inside the box and fired past Scorchers’ second choice goalkeeper Yamikani Kaonga.

Three minutes later Selina Chawinga could have doubled Rumphi Sisters’ lead but her effort inside the box was blocked by Aisha John.

In four minutes of added time of the first half, Elikana Munthali doubled the lead after also beating defender Patricia Nyirenda and goalkeeper Kaonga.

Rumphi Sisters frustrated MDF Lionesses with their tenacious backline making it difficult for the hosts forwards to break through easily.

Ulemu Nkhonje intercepted a dangerous move from foward Asimenye Simwaka that could have led to a goal when she released a long ball towards the hosts half two minutes into the second half.

In the 66th, Selina Chawinga created a golden opportunity the third goal for her side when one-on-one with goalkeeper Kaonga but the international was quick to clear the ball off Chawinga’s foot.

Asimenye then fired a long range shot from outside the box in the 70th minute intending to pull one back but it sailed over the bar.

After those unsuccessful attempts that were thwarted by the resolute Rumphi defence, another international Catherine Kachala pulled one back for MDF Lionesses in the 76th minute to make it 2-1 after been assisted by Asimenye.

But Rumphi defended their lead to the end as in the 73rd a brilliant save from Rumphi Sisters’ goalkeeper Jane Nyirenda denied Asimenye’s effort a from near the corner flag by parrying shot away which could have sailed easily into the back of the net.

Kachala could have scored a brace to equalise for her side but her right footed shot from inside the box went straight into the palms of goalkeeper Jane Nyirenda.

Having assessed the probable exceptional qualities in NBM Women’s Premiership, coach Lovemore Fazili called up  the Rumphi Sisters’ goalkeeper in his provisional Scorchers squad in preparation for the qualifiers against Zimbabwe.

And with this result, she and her team will certainly be attracting more attention to. The Player of the Match award went to Chance Mwenda for her overall exceptional performance.

Meanwhile, there was another NBM Women’s Premiership match on Mother’s Day at the same Nankhaka Stadium involving debutants, in which FACT Ladies cruised to a 3-1 victory over Chitoliro Heroines.

With six points in the bag, the first three being after beating Rumphi Sisters 1-0 in opening match, FACT Ladies have climbed to 4th on the log table ahead of other Matchweek assignments on Saturday and Sunday.

FACT Ladies’ sniper Evelyn Dallas opened the lead in the 13th minute when she slotted home a rebound after a counterattack.

Chitoliro then equalised in the 31st through Rachael Matemba after poor communication between a FACT Ladies defender and her goalkeeper to rest the scores equal at half time.

Three minutes after resumption, FACT Ladies retained their lead through Lunia after Chitoliro Heroines’ defenders poor clearance for the result to stay till the 90th minute of regulation time.

Then Joana Maloni scored the third  in 90+5 from a rebound after captain Evelyn Dallas unleashed a powerful shot.

Through her goal and her overall performance Evelyn Dallas earned the  Player of the Match award.