Ntopwa give away lead in dying minutes

Ntopwa Super Queens yesterday drew one-all against Lesotho Defence Force (LDF) in their CAF Women’s Champions League Cosafa Qualifiers Group A opener in Durban, South Africa.

In a match monitored on Fifa television, the Malawi flag carriers appeared to be headed for a winnng start after taking a first half lead, but conceded in the dying minutes following a defensive error.

Striker Vanessa ‘Mbinho’ Chikupira put Ntopwa ahead in the 45th minute before LDF equalised in the 86th minute through forward Maseriti Mohlolo.

Chikupira, who is on loan from Nyasa Big Bullets Women, caught LDF goalkeeper Mamakhabane Makibinyane off her line to expertly chip into the net from just inside the penalty area. That was the only goal in the first half.

The goal was a big relief for Ntopwa as it spared the blushes of midfielder Funny Magombo, who had just missed a penalty that resulted from striker Linda Kasenda being tackled in the box.

Another loanee from Civil Service United Women Linda Kasenda could have doubled the lead in the 72nd minute when she found herself in a one-on-one situation with LDF goalkeeper, but her effort went agonisingly wide.

Disaster struck for the Ban gwe Township-based side in the 86th minute when LDF restored parity after Ntopwa defender Olivia Phikani gifted striker Maseriti Mohlolo a goal.

It was a seemingly harmless ball and Phikani just needed to clear from the danger area, but she made a weak pass towards her goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo before Mohlolo pounced and  dribbled past the goal-minder to coolly slot it home.

Ntopwa dominated play and had more scoring chances, but failed to make them count.  They had four shots on target against LDF three.

Ntopwa’s next match will be against defending champions Green Buffaloes of Zambia tomorrow from 3.30pm. Their last group match will be against Double Action Ladies of Botswana on Monday.

In a post-match interview, Chikupira, who was named player of the match, said:  “It felt good to score my first goal at an international club competition, but it was just unfortunate to concede a late equaliser.”

On his part, Ntopwa coach James Sangala said: “It is just unfortunate that we failed to collect maximum points after controlling of the game. Nevertheless, that is football, we just have to be more resolute in our next games.”

The Top two teams from each of the two groups will advance to the semi-finals. Only winners of the qualifiers, played in round-robin format, will represent the Cosafa region in Ivory Coast.