Magombo’s strikes take Ntopwa Queens to quarter-finals
Laita Magombo struck four times to help Ntopwa Super Queens qualify for the Southern Region quarter-finals of the Presidential Women Football Championship.
The Queens beat Chikhambi Sisters 5-2 at Chikhwawa Community Centre ground on Sunday.
Chrissy Kasiya opened the score sheet for the Bangwe-based Queens just two minutes into the game but it was Magombo who shone on the sandy pitch. Despite having her spot kick saved by goalkeeper Ellen Charles in the first-half, Magombo made amends for her team by scoring the second goal just before the break. First-half ended 2-1 as Ireen Kabudula reduced the arrears.
Fifteen-year-old Magombo produced a scintillating performance in the second-half to score three goals in 20 minutes to seal Ntopwa’s emphatic victory although Chikhambi Sisters found another solace through Eunice Dzuwa’s strike.
“It was a tough task for my girls to play on the sandy pitch while wearing brand-new soccer boots. It was difficult to run with the ball on the field. All the same, we are happy to have made it into the quarter-finals,” said the Queens coach Thom Kazembe.
On his part, Chikhambi Sisters coach Moses Dunga attributed the defeat to his players’ inferiority complex.
“Most of my players were having their first experience against a Blantyre-based team and they have been hearing on the radio that Ntopwa Queens are a big team. So when they got on the field, most of them confided in me they felt they were playing against the stars,” said Dunga.
In spite of that, Ntopwa Queens manager Isaac ‘Jomo’ Osman has revealed that they are interested to sign Charles as they get on to the crucial quarter-final stage.
Meanwhile, Southern Region Women Football Committee (SRWFC) general secretary Patricia Damalekani has said Blantyre Zero will finally take on King’s Ladies at Chiwembe ground on Sunday while Zomba City Queens will face Tiyeni Tisewere at Zomba Community Centre ground.
