Silver Strikers Ladies’ Deborah Henry ends NBM Women Premiership first round with 14 goals in race for the Golden Boot

* And as the most decorated Player of the Match earning five in 9 matches played helping the Bankers conclude on a 100% winning record

* To lead the country’s inaugural women’s top tier football structure with 27 points — seven ahead of runners-up Ascent Soccer

By Duncan Mlanjira

Leaders Silver Strikers Ladies Deborah Henry ended the NBM Women Premiership first round with 14 goals in race for the Golden Boot — and as the most decorated Player of the Match accolade winner — earning five awards in nine matches.

The Bankers concluded the first round on a 100% winning record in grand style by thrashing bottom of the table MK Academy 7-0 last Sunday in which Deborah was toast of the day when she netted four goals with the other three from Wezie Mvula, Chikondi Gondwe and an own goal from Tiyamike Banda.

Deborah is six goals ahead of Ascent Soccer’s international, Mayamiko Mkandawire  (8) and eight away Leticia Chinyamula (6) also Ascent Soccer international while Kukoma Ntopwa’s Kondawo Banda has 5 — sharing with Mighty Wanderers Queens’ Tawina Kawaga.

At four goals apiece are Vanessa Issa (Nyasa Big Bullets Women); internationals Asimenye Simwaka & Sabina Thom (MDF Lionesses); Maurine Phiri (Moyale Sisters) and Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Civil Service Women).

Malawi Scorchers coach took notice of Deborah’s overall performance and he included her in the 32-member provisional squad that prepared for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) qualifying matches against Angola — alongside teammates, goalkeeper Ireen Sibande and defenders Ireen Khumalo and Justina Jombo.

Seven from different clubs managed to be voted Player of the Match twice — Asimenye Simwaka (MDF Lionesses); Maurine Phiri (Moyale Sisters); Mayamiko Mkandawire; Leticia Chinyamula & Maureen Kenneth (Ascent Soccer); Funny Moyo (Mighty Wanderers Queens); and Vitumbiko Mkandawire (Civil Service Women).

Those with single accolades as best on the pitch include Wezzie Mhango, Atuweni Njilima & Faluna Umali (Wanderers Women); Zainab Kapanda, Asimenye Mwanyongo & Chikondi Mgodi (Bullets Women); Olivia Phikani, Kondawo Banda & Sarah Mlimbika (Kukoma Ntopwa Ladies); Chisomo Banda & Ireen Khumalo & Wezzie Mvula (Silver Ladies).

Others are Elikina Nyasulu & Dorica Mkandawire (MK Academy); Doreen Dickson, Joyce Oposi & Sabina Thom (MDF Lionessess); Maggie Chavula (Ascent Soccer); Jessie Yosefe (Civil Women); Wezzie Mvula (Silver Ladies); Iouria Yiannakis (Bullets Women); Tawina Kawaga (Wanderers Queens).

Topik Academy only managed two draws and in both matches, 1-1 against fellow bottom of the log table, MK Academy and also 1-1 against Moyale Sisters, their players were voted Player of the Match — Cecilia Mzima against MK Academy and Chrissy Munthali against Moyale.

Silver Ladies have ended the first round with 27 points — seven ahead of runners-up Ascent Soccer, followed by MDF Lionesses on 3rd; Nyasa Big Bullets Women  (4); Mighty Wanderers Queens 5th); Ntopwa Queens (6th); Civil Service Women  (7th); Moyale Sisters (8th); MK Academy (9th); and Topik Academy (10th).

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