St Paul’s crowned Matindi Academy Football champions

St Paul’s Private Secondary School are this year’s champions of the Matindi Academy Southern Region Schools Women Football Tournament.

They clinched the honours after beating defending champions Matindi Academy 1-0 at Surestream Stadium in Blantyre on Sunday.

A 12th minute header by Laita Magombo gave the Bangwe Township-based side the coveted title on their first participation in the two-year-old annual competition that registered 38 teams this season.

Magombo planted in an easy header in the penalty area after Matindi goalkeeper, Judith Ndazamo, fumbled the ball from a well-taken free kick by Agnes Chipengule.

After the final whistle, St Paul’s coach Thomas Kamwendo could not believe they had beaten the defending champions.

“I am glad that my players gave out their all in this event to make our school proud,” said Kamwendo whose side carted home K500 000 (about $1 250) a trophy.

On the other hand, Matindi Academy coach Maggie Chombo-Sadiki blamed the loss on injury of their striker Ruth Tambala in the fifth minute.

Nonetheless, Matindi, who received K250 000 (about $625), found solace in having their player Carol Majamanda who was the tournament’s top goal scorer with eight goals. St Paul’s goalkeeper, Mwai Kasiya, was named best player of the tournament. They received K20 000 (about $50) each.

Matindi Group of Companies representative Father Dasiyano Kunkeyani promised the women football fraternity to continue sponsoring the competition.