NBM Women’s Premiership champions Silver Ladies date Civil Service Women in a Derby weekend of Match Week 16

The inaugural champions Silver Ladies

* The Blantyre derby at Mpira Stadium from 14h30 is between Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers Queens

* Whose men’s sides are the country’s fierce arch rivals and that rivalry stepped up for the NBM Women’s Premiership

By  Duncan Mlanjira

Silver Strikers Ladies, who were crowned champions of the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Women’s Premiership after winning their 16th match of the season, are up against city rivals, 7th-placed Civil Service Women, tomorrow at Civo Stadium.

Match Week 16 is a Derby weekend that see runners-up Ascent Soccer travelling to Champion Stadium, to meet 4th-placed MDF Lionesses — the only side that managed to beat leaders, Silver Ladies in the opening match of the second round.

The Blantyre derby at Mpira Stadium from 14h30 is between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers Queens, whose men’s sides are the country’s fierce arch rivals and that rivalry stepped up for the NBM Women’s Premiership.

The Bullets are on 3rd place with 28 points, five ahead of the Wanderers Queens and the rivalry in this match is two-fold — the Bullets Women needing to increase the lead to maintain their 3rd spot and the Nomads wanting to step up in the fight for the same spot with three matches left to play.

Another threat behind the Bullets Women are MDF Lionesses, who have 25 points, three behind while 4 points behind are Kukoma Ntopwa Women, who host visiting relegated side Moyale Sisters at Mpira Stadium from 10h00.

The 4th derby tomorrow is between relegated sides, MK Academy (8th with 7 points) and Topik Academy (10th/3pts) to be played at FAM’s Luwinga Football School of Excellence in Mzuzu.

Meanwhile, Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Fleetwood Haiya congratulated Silver Strikers FC Ladies for winning the inaugural women’s national league with three games to spare, saying: “It has been a high-flying season built on hard work, consistency, and belief. A truly deserved triumph. Well done, Ma Banker!”

With three matches left, the Bankers are assured to have produced the Golden Boot winner, Deborah Henry, who has an unassailable tally of 22 goals — 13 ahead of runner-up Tawina Kawaga of Mighty Wanderers Queens with 9 goals.

Sharing at 8 goals apiece are Ascent Soccer due of Mayamiko Mkandawire and Leticia Chinyamula while at seven each are Kukoma Ntopwa duo of Kondawo Banda and Takondwa Gambuleni along with Nyasa Big Bullets Women’s Mary Chavinda.

It is very unlikely if those behind her would manage to score more than either 13 or 14 or 15 to overtake her while the leading top scorer would be aiming to increase her tally as well.