Ntopwa Women's Team Crowned Champions in Thrilling Final

Blantyre, Malawi - Ntopwa women's team emerged victorious in a nail-biting finish at the 2022 FAM National Women's Championship, writes Happy Valirani.

They clinched the title after defeating Ascent Soccer Academy in a thrilling final match that took place at Mpira Stadium on Monday, May 15, 2023.

The highly contested match drew a record-breaking crowd, with fans flocking from different parts of Blantyre to witness the exciting showdown.

Ascent Academy initially dominated the game, creating numerous scoring opportunities through their talented striker, Rose Kanzere.

However, Ntopwa's goalkeeper displayed brilliance and repeatedly denied Kanzere's attempts to put her team in the lead.

In the second half, Ntopwa seized an opportunity and took the lead when Shabello Bengo scored a powerful header from a corner-kick in the 65th minute.

However, Ascent Academy quickly equalized the score five minutes later, as Kanzere manoeuvred past two defenders to level the game at 1-1.

With no clear winner determined during regulation time, the match was forced into a penalty shootout.

Mercy Skerlo of Ntopwa Super Queens emerged as the hero, making a crucial save that fueled Ntopwa's hope for victory.

Ntopwa displayed excellent composure and successfully converted all their penalty kicks, securing a 5-3 win over Ascent Academy.

Ntopwa's head coach, Jomo Osman, expressed his elation at the team's triumph and commended his players for their remarkable effort.

"I am very happy with what has happened today, and we need to thank God for our victory. Ascent Academy is a good team, and we knew we had to work hard to achieve this. Our secret was hard work, positioning, and analyzing Ascent Academy's gameplay. In football, we plan, and we plan well," said Osman.

Meanwhile, Ascent Academy's coach, Thom Nkolongo, acknowledged defeat despite his team's dominance throughout the match.

"The girls played well, and we created numerous chances in the ninety minutes. However, our failure to convert those chances into goals resulted in our defeat through penalties. That's football. I hope next year we will do better. Last year, we reached the semifinals, and this year we made it to the finals. Our target for next year will be winning the championship," Nkolongo stated.

Walter Nyamilandu, the President of the Football Association of Malawi (FAM), expressed his delight with the competition but emphasized the need for increased investment in women's football.

Nyamilandu proposed the introduction of under-14 and under-16 women's football leagues to nurture and develop talent, aiming for Malawi to become a dominant force in women's football in Africa.

"Malawi has now realized that we have talent, and this talent is not limited to netball alone but also extends to girls’ and women's football. We are highly motivated, as demonstrated by the large number of spectators attending the finals and witnessing the excellent football played by the girls," Nyamilandu stated.

In another exciting match, the FCB Nyasa Big Bullets women's team claimed the third position after defeating DD Sunshine 4-3 in a penalty shootout.

The ninety-minute game ended in a 1-1 draw.

The Bullets women's team celebrated lifting the trophy, becoming the first team to do so since its launch in 2021.

Adelaide Migogo, the newly elected Chairperson of Malawi Women's Football, was also present at the event, further supporting the growth and development of women's football in the country.