Silver Strikers Ladies have vowed to fire on all cylinders when they face Nsingizini Hotspurs Women of Eswatini in their decisive Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League Cosafa Qualifiers Group B match in Gaborone, Botswana this afternoon.
The Bankers are second in their four team group and a win will see them sailing through to the semi-finals regardless of the result in the other match between leaders Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies of South Africa and Mozambican side Costa Dol Sol.
The Lilongwe-based inaufural National Bank of Malawi Women’s Premiership champions have three points from two matches, three points behind Sundowns.
Silver Ladies had a bright start to the regional showpiece, beating Costa Dol Sol 2-1 on Friday before going down 3-0 to Sundowns on Sunday night.
But in an interview yesterday, Silver Ladies coach Patricio Kulemeka said their plan is to attack relentlessly.
“Our approach is very clear. We are going there with purpose, determination and intention to score goals. We will go flat out,” he said.
“At the same time, we know we must remain disciplined defensively and protect our territory whenever under pressure.”
Kulemeka said while they are aware that they have a slight goal difference advantage over third-placed Costa Dol Sol, with whom they are tied on points, their plan is to complete the task on their own without relying on the result from the other match.
He said: “Our ambition goes beyond simply progressing to the knockout stages. I, together with the entire technical panel, have put the trust in all the 21 players in the squad. They understand the responsibility they carry.
“We are national women’s champions representing Malawi and we want to continue with the celebration of women’s football in the country by adding qualification to the CAF Women’s Champions League.”
His Nsingizini Hotspurs counterpart Mpendulo Mawelela, whose side is technically out of contention as they have no point, was quoted by Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) TV as having said that they are hoping for a good finish.
“The number of goals we are conceding is decreasing and, luckily, we scored a goal in our second match [against Costa Dol Sol] and created a number of chances. So, if we continue, I am confident we will get a positive result in our final match. We are Amazulu and we always fight for the best,” he said.
Nsingizini Hotspurs were swept aside 8-0 by Sundowns in their opening match before a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Costa Dol Sol.
