MDF Lionesses and Maureen Phiri Shine in NBM Women's Premiership: A 2-0 Victory and a Hat-trick Debut
The National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Women's Premiership continued to deliver exciting football action over the weekend, with two standout performances from MDF Lionesses and Moyale Sisters. In the first game, MDF Lionesses secured a 2-0 victory over third-placed Kukoma Ntopwa Women, while Moyale Sisters claimed their first win in five games with a dominant 4-1 performance against MK Academy.
MDF Lionesses Move Up with Crucial Win
At Champion Stadium, MDF Lionesses started strongly, with international midfielders Asimenye Simwaka and Eltech Phiri controlling the game's tempo. The visitors displayed impressive football proficiency, with Lydia Mchochoma, Alice Brazi, and Sarah Mlimbika executing passes with precision. However, it was MDF Lionesses who took the lead in the 45th minute through a rebound goal by Catherine Kachala. Eltech Phiri added a second goal in the 86th minute, capitalizing on a Ntopwa defender's inability to clear Asimenye Simwaka's cross.
The game took an unexpected turn when the referee applied a new FIFA football rule, penalizing MDF Lionesses' Yamikani Kaonga goalkeeper for making an 8-second delay to release the ball into play. A corner was awarded to Ntopwa, but the visitors managed to hold on and increase their lead moments later through Eltech Phiri.
Maureen Phiri's Hat-trick Debut for Moyale Sisters
Meanwhile, at Mzuzu Stadium, Moyale Sisters showed their attacking prowess against MK Academy. The youthful MK Academy pressed hard in the opening minutes, but Moyale Sisters capitalized on communication breakdowns between their defenders and goalkeeper. Maureen Phiri scored the first goal in the 26th minute, capitalizing on a mistake by the defenders, and completed her hat-trick in the 65th minute with a nice finish from Shupie Gondwe's assist.
Maureen Phiri's impressive display earned her the Player of the Match award, while her team climbed to seventh place in the standings, temporarily overtaking Civil Service Women.
International Stars Shine in Domestic Competition
Both matches showcased impressive performances from international players, with Mercy Sikelo and Alice Brazi standing out for Ntopwa Queens and MDF Lionesses, respectively. Asimenye Simwaka and Eltech Phiri also played crucial roles in their team's victories, demonstrating the quality of talent in the NBM Women's Premiership.
Upcoming Matches and FIFA Rules
Looking ahead, FCB Nyasa Bullets will face runners-up Ascent Soccer at Ascent Ground from 14h30 on Sunday, while MDF Lionesses will aim to build on their victory against Kukoma Ntopwa Women. At Mzuzu Stadium, Civil Service Women will take on bottom of the table Topik Academy, with Moyale Sisters looking to carry their momentum forward.
The application of new FIFA football rules in domestic competitions continues to be a topic of interest, with the penalty given to MDF Lionesses' goalkeeper being a notable example. Fans and pundits alike are eager to see how these rules will impact the NBM Women's Premiership moving forward.
Stay tuned for more exciting football action from the NBM Women's Premiership!
Summary: In the National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Women’s Premiership, MDF Lionesses defeated 3rd-placed Kukoma Ntopwa Women 2-0 at Champion Stadium, moving from 6th position to 8th with 8 points. Moyale Sisters also secured their first win in five games with a 4-1 victory over MK Academy at Mzuzu Stadium, temporarily moving them to 7th place. MDF Lionesses started strong, with international Asimenye Simwaka and Eltech Phiri controlling the midfield. However, Ntopwa Queens displayed proficient football and created several chances, but failed to convert. In the 45th minute, MDF Lionesses took the lead through a rebound goal, and Eltech Phiri increased the lead in the 86th minute. Ntopwa Queens were awarded a corner kick, but the goalkeeper was penalized for delaying the release of the ball, resulting in a free kick for MDF Lionesses. Moyale Sisters secured their first win in five games with a dominant performance against MK Academy. The youthful MK Academy pressured Moyale Sisters in the early stages, but Moyale Sisters capitalized on communication breakdowns and scored two goals in the 26th and 30th minutes through Maure
