Silver Strikers Ladies Face Tough Test as NBM Women’s Premiership Resumes
The National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Women’s Premiership is set to resume this weekend after a short break for international friendly matches, with leaders Silver Strikers Ladies facing a stern test away to 4th-placed Mighty Wanderers Queens at Mpira Stadium on Sunday.
Silver Strikers Ladies have enjoyed a perfect start, winning all four of their matches to lead the standings on 12 points. However, Wanderers Queens are hot on their heels, sitting just three points behind on 9 points, making for a tight race at the top.
Elsewhere, Ascent Soccer host 5th-placed Nyasa Big Bullets Women at Ascent Ground on Sunday, while Ntopwa Women travel to Champion Stadium on Saturday to face 6th-placed MDF Lionesses. At the bottom end, Moyale Sisters and fellow strugglers MK Academy meet at Mzuzu Stadium on Saturday, and winless Topik Academy host 7th-placed Civil Service Women on Sunday.
The title race is heating up, with Silver Strikers Ladies looking over their shoulders at three teams just one win behind them. Wanderers Queens, Ascent Soccer, and Ntopwa Women are all on 9 points and ready to pounce.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the table, Topik Academy, Moyale Sisters, and MK Academy face an uphill battle to avoid relegation. Civil Service Women, currently on 3 points, will be aiming to hold onto 7th spot as any slip could see them displaced by MK Academy if the Lilongwe side beats Moyale Sisters.
The Golden Boot race is also tight, with Deborah Henry of Silver Strikers and Leticia Chinyamula of Ascent Soccer currently leading the way, both on 5 goals. They are closely followed by Mary Chavinda and Vanessa Issa of Nyasa Big Bullets, Kondawo Banda of Ntopwa, and Mayamiko Mkandawire of Ascent Soccer, all on 3 goals each.
The Premiership's return comes on the back of the Scorchers’ successful friendly matches against Lesotho, where Asimenye Simwaka starred with five goals across the two games, including a hat-trick on Sunday. Captain Sabina Thom also got on the scoresheet.
These friendlies were Malawi’s 8th international outings of the year and formed part of preparations for the COSAFA Women’s Championship and WAFCON qualifiers against Angola in October.
Adding to the morale, the Scorchers were recently hosted by league sponsors National Bank of Malawi, where they engaged staff and customers at branches in Victoria Avenue, Henderson Street, Limbe, and Chichiri Shopping Mall – a gesture reinforcing the bank’s brand as the “Bank of the Nation.”
Upcoming Matches and Their Implications
As the Women’s Premiership resumes, several matches have significant implications for the title race and relegation battle.
Silver Strikers Ladies face a tough test away to 4th-placed Mighty Wanderers Queens, while Ascent Soccer host Nyasa Big Bullets Women, who are just one point behind them. A win for either team could see them take a significant step towards the title.
At the bottom end, Moyale Sisters and MK Academy meet at Mzuzu Stadium, with both teams aiming to secure their first points of the season. A win for either team would be a significant boost to their morale and could help them avoid relegation.
The Golden Boot Race: Who Will Come Out on Top?
The Golden Boot race is shaping up to be a closely contested affair, with several players vying for the top scorer award.
Deborah Henry of Silver Strikers and Leticia Chinyamula of Ascent Soccer currently lead the way, both on 5 goals. However, Mary Chavinda and Vanessa Issa of Nyasa Big Bullets, Kondawo Banda of Ntopwa, and Mayamiko Mkandawire of Ascent Soccer are all hot on their heels, all on 3 goals each.
Who will come out on top and secure the Golden Boot award? Stay tuned to find out!
The International Friendlies and Their Impact
The international friendlies against Lesotho provided a significant boost to the morale of the Malawi Scorchers and the domestic league.
Asimenye Simwaka's hat-trick and five goals across the two games demonstrated the quality and potential of Malawian football. The success of the friendlies also provided valuable preparation for the COSAFA Women’s Championship and WAFCON qualifiers against Angola.
The impact of these friendlies can be seen in the renewed energy and determination of the teams as they resume the Women’s Premiership.
Conclusion
The National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Women’s Premiership is set to resume this weekend after a short break, with several significant matches set to shape the title race and relegation battle. Deborah Henry and Leticia Chinyamula currently lead the Golden Boot race, but several other players are hot on their heels. The success of the international friendlies against Lesotho has provided a significant boost to the morale and performance of the Malawi Scorchers and the domestic league.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Women’s Premiership and the Scorchers’ preparations for the COSAFA Women’s Championship and WAFCON qualifiers against Angola.
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