* Exacted revenge having lost to the eventual champions twice in NBM Women’s Premiership’s Season 1
* Ascent Soccer took the lead in the 24th through Leticia Chinyamula from a penalty and the second by Mayamiko Mkandawire
By Duncan Mlanjira
Ascent Soccer have beaten NBM Women’s Premiership 2026 leaders Silver Strikers 2-1 this Sunday afternoon for the two sides to tie on 18 points.
The reigning champions have maintained their leadership of the log table due to goal difference while Ascent Soccer exacted their revenge having lost in both rounds of Season 1.
The Ladies won the first round 2-1 in through a brace from Deborah Henry and the consolation by Leticia Chinyamula and 2-0 in the reverse fixture with goals from Grace Kakangula and Deborah Henry
The Lilongwe derby, played at Ascent Ground, saw the hosts taking the lead in the 24th through Leticia Chinyamula from a penalty awarded following a last player foul by Silver Strikers Ladies goalkeeper Evelyn.
Kamanga saved Chinyamula spot kick but she reacted quickly to the rebound to slot the ball in.
Mayamiko Mkandawire extended Ascent Soccer’s lead in the 67th minute after capitalising on a defensive blunder following a back pass.
With 10 minutes to the clock, Silver Strikers Ladies were awarded a penalty following a handball by Maureen Kenneth, which Ireen Khumalo converted.
The reigning champions, who only lost two matches and never once drew in the inaugural season, fought on but Ascent Soccer — the Season 1 runners-up who lost three and drew two — managed to jealously defend their advantage.
Blantyre also had a derby between Nyasa Big Bullets Women and Mighty Wanderers Queens, which ended goalless at Mpira Stadium.
The Bullets have accumulated 16 points to maintain their 3rd place while Wanderers have 8 points on 7th position.
In an all-debutants clash at Rumphi Stadium, Rumphi Sisters and Chitoliro Heroines drew 1-1 in which the visitors earned their second point of the season.
Chitoliro, who are at the rock bottom of the table, scored first in the 36th through Mary Nkhoma assisted by Evelyn Jon.
With just a minute to play before time added, Rumphi Sisters equalised through Said Medson’s brilliant strike after being well set up by Elikanah Munthali.
Advertisement
On Saturday, there was also a Lilongwe derby in which Civil Service Women drew 1-1 with MDF Lionesses through goals from Vitumbiko Mkandawire and Asimenye Simwaka respectively.
Simwaka gave the Lionesses the lead in the 4th with a powerful long range strike from outside the box beating Civil Service Women goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo.
Ten minutes after the halftime break, Vitumbiko Mkandawire equalised after releasing a shot from the left wing near the 18-yard box that beat goalkeeper Yamikani Kaonga.
Meanwhile, experienced Kukoma Ntopwa Women came from a goal down to beat determined debutants FACT Ladies 2-1 at Mpira Stadium.
The visitors took the lead in the 54th from the penalty spot through Annie Mughogho — a powerful shot that goalkeeper Emily Nkwazi guessed right its direction but couldn’t stop it.
But there was a quick response from Ntopwa Women three minutes later when Kondawo Banda beat her marker to enter the box down the left flank before shooting with precision, beating Takondwa Kazitche.
In the 73rd, captain Saliva January headed home a rebound to take the lead after Rose Alufandika’s free kick from long range hit the cross bar.
Kukoma Ntopwa have accumulated 13 points on 6th place.
