Ntopwa Queens reign supreme
Ntopwa Super Queens have furnished their mantelpiece with the FAM National Women’s Championship trophy following a 5-3 post-match penalty win over Ascent Academy in a thrilling final in Blantyre yesterday.
Fans that filled the Mpira Stadium in Chiwembe Township to the brim had to wait until the second half before they could feast their eyes on goals by both sides, who were in search of their first national title.
The first half failed to stir the passions, with only a few half chances created.
As the second stanza rolled into action, the Blantyre-based Ntopwa engaged an extra gear that eventually paid off in the 63rd minute when Shabel Bengo broke the deadlock with a header from Olivia Pikani’s well-taken corner-kick.
Nevertheless, as Ascent Academy from Lilongwe awoke from their deep slumber to engage in pass-and-move play, Bengo turned into a villain four minutes later when she failed to clear her lines in the box and gifted the ball to Ascent striker Rose Kabzele, who slotted past Ntopwa goalkeeper at the near post.
It was a see-saw affair in the last 20 minutes of regulation time with each side having chances that failed to turn into goals. It was 1-1 at the sound of the final whistle for the match to go straight into the dreaded post-match penalties.
Fanny Magombo, Olivia Phikani, Shabel Bengo, Mary Chindeya and Kondawu Banda converted all their spot-kicks for Ntopwa while Ascent saw only three players Letcia Chinyamula, Maggie Chavula and Kabzele scoring as Atuweni Njilima missed her spot-kick.
“We are delighted to have finally secured our first national title. It was not an easy ride, but we managed to have a happy ending,” said Ntopwa coach Isaac Jomo Osman, whose side got K3 million winners’ prize.
Ascent coach Thom Mkolongo hailed her charges for a spirited performance, saying it was just unfortunate that they lost the final.
In the third-place play-off, last year’s champions Nyasa Big Bullets Women beat Silver Strikers Women 5-3 also on post-match penalties after a one-all draw in normal time in which Vanessa Chikupira and Mphatso Gondwe scored for their respective outfits.
Chikupira finished as the tournament’s golden boot winner with 11 goals while Kabzere was named Player of the Tournament.
Football Association of Malawi (FAM) president Walter Nyamilandu and National Women Football Association (NWFA) chairperson Adelaide Migogo said they were happy with the standard of play and the big patronage.
“This shows that we have talent in women football and we need more support from the corporate world to ensure we go far,” said Nyamilandu.
Malawi National Council Sports board chairperson Sunduzwayo Madise, who was the guest of honour, said government is committed to supporting women’s football growth in the country while African Herbal Mixture Clinic managing director Joel Chirambo, whose company provided fun experience to the final, said they will continue supporting the sport.
The final was spiced up with a half-time music performance by Zeze Kingston of the ‘Alamu Anu’ fame.
