Civil Service Women hand Silver Ladies their second defeat in NBM Women’s Premiership 

* The Bankers’ leading goal scorer Deborah Henry has now gone 3 consecutive games without finding the back of the net

* As Nyasa Big Bullets claimed Blantyre City derby bragging rights after defeating rivals Mighty Wanderers Queens 1-0

By Duncan Mlanjira

In what was an exciting Lilongwe Derby, Civil Service Women beat Silver Strikers Ladies 2-0 at Civo Stadium on Saturday afternoon, handing the Bankers their second defeat in the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Women’s Premiership.

The Silver Ladies were already crowned champions last week of this inaugural top tier women’s football system with three games in hand but they were not as relaxed since their starting XI was their usual style including leading top scorer with 22 goals, Deborah Henry.

It took 44 minutes for Civil Service Women to take the lead through Emily Samuel following poor communication inside the penalty box by Silver Ladies.

After the half time break, Civil Service Women were on fire pushing forward as Anna Bazilio, Vitumbiko Mkandawire and Jessie Josefe were piling pressure on the Silver Strikers Ladies defense with good runs and quick combinations.

It paid off as in the 71st minute, Vitumbiko Mkandawire doubled the lead following an assist from Alinafe Mpira. Vitumbiko went on to be voted Player of the Match for her overall exceptional performance.

The result takes Civil Service Women to 6th place from 7th with 25 points, sharing with 5th-placed MDF Lionesses, who lost 0-3 to runners-up Ascent Soccer in another Lilongwe derby played at Champion Stadium.

Fatima Lali scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute when the Lionesses’ defense failed to support the goalkeeper after her initial save.

Ascent Soccer continued with their dominance that led to Mayamiko Mkandawire making it 2-0 on the 42nd minute following a well-executed corner kick by Talandira Chinyamvula.

Mkandawire claimed her brace in the 63rd after an excellent delivery by Fatima Lali. The Lionesses, who were first the beat Silver Strikers Ladies in the first match of the second round have maintained their 4th position with 25 points. 

Ascent Soccer thus enhances their second position with 35 points, four ahead of FCB Nyasa Big Bullets, who claimed Blantyre City derby bragging rights after defeating rivals Mighty Wanderers Queens 1-0 at Mpira Stadium. 

The lone goal came in the 58th minute through Triza Chiwere for the Bullets to maintain their 3rd position with 31 points.

With two matches left, Ascent Soccer need to win one match to take the runners-up medal and on 4th place are Kukoma Ntopwa Women with 27 points after beating relegated Moyale Sisters 4-0 in a morning fixture at Mpira Stadium through an opening goal  from Takondwa Gambuleni in the 3rd minute after an assist from Kondawo Banda.

The hosts made it 2-0 in the 75th through Mary Chindeya following an error at the back by Mwayi Mhango and increased it to 3-0 in the 80th through Kondawo Banda after a good pass from Priscilla Mtambalika.

It wasn’t over for Kondano as she made it 4-0 in the 90’+1 minute to increase her tally of goals to nine — 13 behind Deborah Henry, who has gone 3 consecutive games without scoring.

Meanwhile, relegated Topik Academy registered their first win of the season when they beat fellow relegated side MK Academy 2-1 in the Mzuzu derby at Luwinga.

They have displaced MK Academy from the 9th place having amassed 6 points against MK’s 5 points.

Topik were first to score in the 30th minute when Cecilia Nzima fired a shot that was denied by the woodwork and a follow up found Christina Chirwa who rounded up the goalkeeper to score.

Nzima was on the scene again two minutes later with a stunner that beat helpless Febbie Nyirenda in goals before Ester scored what was to become the consolation in the 78th minute.