Civil Service Women’s international Vitumbiko Mkandawire leads race for NBM Women’s Premiership Golden Boot with 8 goals

* Chased closely by Yamikani Mhango and Leticia Chinyamula on 6 goals and 4 from Mayamiko Mkandawire and Tawina Kawaga

* Silver Strikers Ladies lead the top scoring chart with 17 from Yamikani Mhango (6), Ireen Khumalo (3), Madyina Ngulube (3), Grace Kakangula (3), Carolyne Mathyola (2)

* Followed by Ascent Soccer with 12 through Leticia Chinyamula (6) Mayamiko Mkandawire (4), Jean Fyson, Deborah Jere

By Duncan Mlanjira

Malawi international Vitumbiko Mkandawire of Civil Service Women leads the race for the Golden Boot of NBM Women’s Premiership at 8 goals as well as two assists.

And after scoring five goals when Silver Strikers Ladies thumped debutants Rumphi Sisters 7-0 last Sunday, Yamikani Mhango follows with 6 goals, sharing with Ascent Soccer’s international Leticia Chinyamula.

Chinyamula’s teammate Mayamiko Mkandawire netted four along with Mighty Wanderers Queens’ Tawina Kawanga.

On three goals apiece are Ireen Khumalo, Madyina Ngulube, Grace Kakangula (Silver Strikers), Mary Chavinda (Nyasa Big Bullets), Evelyn Dallas (FACT Ladies), and Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lionesses).

On two goals apiece are Carolyne Mathyola (Silver Strikers Ladies), Vanessa Issa (Nyasa Big Bullets), Anna Bazilio, Mercy Mkandawire (Civil Service Women), Faluna Umali (Mighty Wanderers Queens) and Chitoliro Heroines’ Rachel Matemba.

Halfway through the NBM Women’s Premiership first round, Silver Strikers Ladies lead the top scoring chart with 17 goals from Yamikani Mhango (6), Ireen Khumalo (3), Madyina Ngulube (3), Grace Kakangula (3) and Carolyne Mathyola (2).

Followed by Ascent Soccer with 12 — through Leticia Chinyamula (6), Mayamiko Mkandawire (4), and one each from Jean Fyson and Deborah Jere.

From their two wins and three losses that earned them the 6th place with 6 points, debutants FACT Ladies have accumulated six goals, three from Evelyn Dallas and one each from Freeda Gonondo, Lunia Gwebe and Joana Maloni.

For Matchweek 6, runners-up Civil Service Women date 4th-placed Ascent Soccer in a Lilongwe derby at Civo Stadium on Sunday.

This is the headline fixture as it certainly going to be a grudge match for the Civil Women, who lost 0-1 to Ascent Soccer in both rounds of the inaugural NBM Women’s Premiership.

Thus for Civil Women, it will not just be to guard against not dropping any point but to fight for nothing but pride as well.

The Civil Women also hosted last season’s first round match which they lost through the goal from international Leticia Chinyamula before going down by the same margin in the reverse first from Talandira Chinyamvula’s.

The Civil Women are on perched on 2nd place, sharing 12 points with leaders and reigning champions Silver Strikers Ladies and 3rd-placed Nyasa Big Bullets Women — separated by goal difference.

Halfway through, the race to end the first round on good footing will be quite an intriguing battle — starting on  Friday when the reigning champions will be meeting 7th-placed debutants FACT Ladies with 6 points.

This will be away at Nankhaka while the Bullets Women will be hosted at Nankhaka by MDF Lionesses, who are 5th with 7 points.

Interestingly, MDF Lionesses and  Nyasa Big Bullets Women played out to a 1-1 draw in both rounds, with the military ladies also hosting the first leg.

These are the only assignments between Season 1 contestants as Kukoma Ntopwa Women will be hosted by debutants Chitoliro Heroines on Saturday at Mpira Stadium.

The Ntopwa Women are 6th on the log table with six points while the debutants haven’t won or drawn in all five matches played so far.

Mighty Wanderers Queens, who have four points and are on 8th place, are also away to be hosted by Rumphi Sisters, who are on position 9 with 3 points.