* Log table leaders Civil Service Women will host Nyasa Big Bullets Women on Sunday at Civo Stadium
* 2025/26 champions Silver Strikers Ladies will host debutants Chitoliro Heroines at Silver Stadium on Saturday
By Duncan Mlanjira
Ascent Soccer, who opened the NBM Women’s Premiership 2026/27 season by drawing 1-1 with MDF Lionesses on Sunday, will on Wednesday host debutants Rumphi Sisters for their Matchweek 2 assignment at Ascent.
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Through their one point, Ascent Soccer are placed on 6th place and MDF Lionesses on 5th, while four teams share 3 points each, separated by goal difference.
Civil Service Women placed themselves at the summit after thrashing Mighty Wanderers Queens 5-1 on Sunday and Nyasa Big Bullets Women are on second place having beaten debutants Chitoliro Heroines FC 3-0 at Mpira Stadium.
Silver Strikers Ladies are 3rd after beating Kukoma Ntopwa Women 3-1 while FACT Ladies earned their full points in the debut appearance of the women’s top flight league having triumphed 1-0 over fellow rookies, Rumphi Sisters.
The leaders, Civil Women will once more be at home at Civo Stadium to host Nyasa Big Bullets Women on Sunday, while 2025/26 champions Silver Strikers Ladies will host Blantyre-based Chitoliro Heroines at Silver Stadium on Saturday.
Placed on 4th position following their 1-0 win over Rumphi Sisters, FACT Ladies are on the road to meet Mighty Wanderers Queens to be played at Mpira Stadium on Sunday.
Kukoma Ntopwa Women will be at Mpira Stadium on Saturday to host MDF Lionesses.
The launch of the 2026/27 season at Mpira Stadium on Saturday
In their Capital City women’s derby at Ascent on Sunday, the MDF Lionesses went into the lead in the 69th when Catherine Kachala split the Ascent Soccer’s defence with a brilliant pass to find Asimenye Simwaka, who made no mistake with a first-time finish to beat Patricia Kachepa in goals.
But Ascent managed to equalise with fours to the clock plus time added through Mayamiko Mkandawire, who produced a stunning bicycle-kick finish.
The move started through international Leticia Chinyamula’s free-kick, which hit the defensive wall, and from the rebound, Chinyamula’s effort away ricocheted off an MDF Lionesses player for Mkandawire to react the quickest with the acrobatic finish.
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At Civo Stadium on Sunday, Mighty Wanderers Queens started out very strongly with Tawina Kawaga at the centre of the onslaught but they conceded in the 11th minute.
Civil Women’s Anna Bazilio scored a stunning long range effort from near the centre circle, which Wanderers goalkeeper, Esther Maulidi got a hand to it but could not keep it out.
The hosts thus gained the composure with Bazilio and Vitumbiko Mkandawire combining well but Wanderers Queens equalised in the 22nd minute through Faluna Umali.
Umali fired a powerful long range shot from just a few meters near the centre circle in their opponents half after a pass from Funny Moyo.
The Civil Women increased the lead in 46th through Benaderta Nyenga with a header, connecting a long delivery ball set by substitute Jacqueline Kamputa from the right wing near the corner flag.
Benaderta Nyenga claimed her brace in the 65th to make it 3-1 when she made a run in behind Wanderers Queens defenders and as the opposition goalkeeper was advancing near the edge of the 18 yard box, she lobbed it over her to sail into the back of the net.
Vitumbiko Mkandawire registered her name on the scoresheet in the 74th for the fourth goal assisted by Fatsileni Kazembe and in the 90th, Vitumbiko was fouled in the box and won a penalty.
Mkandawire stepped up and scored her brace and the 5-1 winner to open the 2026/27 title campaign at the top.
In the match of debutants, FACT Ladies lone goal winner was scored in the 69th through Freeda Gonondo, who finishes well after being assisted by Joana Maloni.
Rumphi Sisters’ could have taken the lead in the 23rd when they were awarded a penalty after Elikana Munthali was brought down inside the penalty area — but Queen Kamwenda’s effort hit the post.
On Saturday, champions Silver Strikers Ladies goals were from internationals, Ireen Khumalo, Madyina Ngulube and the third from Yamikani Mhango.
The Bankers came from behind to claim their first full points, which was a repeat of last season, when Silver also came from behind to win 3-1 in the first leg at same venue before triumphing 4-0 at home — a result that saw them clinch the title with three games still to play.
Ntopwa, who finished 6th last season, went into the lead in the 16th minute through defender Rose Alfandika’s powerful free kick from 40 yards beating Ireen Sibande on goals.
This was after a near miss from Carolyn Mathyola in the 5th followed by Yamikani Mhango heading wide Khumalo’s powerful cross a minute later.
Kukoma’s Rose Alufandika also saved her team in the 9th minute when Grace Kakangula rounded off Emily Nkhwazi before sending a shot on goal but she arrives early to clear the ball.
Ntopwa dominated the proceedings to take the match leading at half time break but the champions equalised in the 57th through Ireen Khumalo and assisted by Madyina Ngulube.
Three minutes later, Ngulube claimed her name on the scoresheet when she powered the Bankers ahead with a well taken shot from outside the box.
In the 71st minute, Yamikani Mhango made it 3-1 when she beat Emily Nkhwazi with a dummy.
Meanwhile, playing earlier at the same Mpira Stadium to launch the 2026/27 season, Blantyre-based Chitoliro Heroines FC conceded as early as the 5th minute through Mary Chavinda’s impressive direct free kick but they fought hard to contain the Bullets Women, who ended 4th in the inaugural season of the national women’s top flight league.
Then the debutants were dealt a severe blow when in the 64th minute Tereza Kanyika was sent off after a second bookable offence.
She had received the yellow card in the 21st following a bad foul on Bullets’ Bernadette Mkandawire as she tried to break the defence.
And it was also on Mkandawire that she wrongly fouled in the 64th earning her the second yellow card to be sent off.
The Bullets Women used the numerical advantage to press on with several attacks that brought the best saves from goalkeeper Elikinah Nyasulu.
They then succumbed in the 77th when the Bullets won a corner that was well taken by Chavinda to Chiwere, who squared it for Tadala James to send it to roof of the net completely beating the goalkeeper.
The Bullets Women coach, Maggie Chombo made her last substitution with two minutes plus added time left — bringing in Fauza Mohammed to replace Mary Chavinda.
The sub enjoyed her pitch time profitably when she scored the Bullets Women’s 3rd goal in the 90+4′ slotting into an empty net after goalkeeper Elikina Nyasulu blocked the initial threat from Leah Mussa.
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