Ascent under pressure after loss

Malawi flag carriers Ascent Soccer Academy yesterday blew a chance of reaching the semi-finals of the CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa qualifiers with a Group B match to spare after losing 1-0 to Mozambique’s UD de Lichinga at Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township, Blantyre.

The loss means they must win their last group B match against Gaborone United Women of Botswana tomorrow. Only top-two teams from the four-team group will make the grade.

Lichinga now lead the group with four points, Ascent are second on three points while Botswana’s Gaborone United are third on two points. Young Baffaloes of E-swatini anchor the group with a single point.

Ascent coach Thom Mkolongo, who attributed the loss to a slow start and numerous missed opportunities, yesterday said they are still hopeful to make the last-four grade.

“We started a little bit slow, especially on the attack and we missed a lot of scoring opportunities. In the next match, we will come back quite well and, believe me, we will qualify for the semi-finals,” he said.

Lichinga coach Eduardo Bonomar said they are happy to have secured full points against the hosts.

“The match was difficult as we played against the hosts. We are happy to be on top with four points,” he said.

Yesterday, Lichinga scored in the 76th minute through Celia Miguel, who was left unmarked in the box.

In group A, Zimbabwe’s Herentals are at the summit with six points from two straight wins. They are followed by University of Western Cape of South Africa, who are tied on three points with Green Buffaloes of Zambia. Ongos of Namibia are at the bottom without a point.