Ascent Academy and Malawi Defence Force ( MDF) Lionesses advanced to the  Goshen Fam Women’s National Championship final after winning their respective semifinals at Bingu National Stadium on Friday.

It was an action-packed day as Lilongwe based  teams battled for the slots in the final.

Ascent showed grit as they beat Silver Strikers Ladies 2-0 in an early kickoff to book a spot in the final whereas Lionesses thrashed Civil Service United Women 3-0 at Bingu National Stadium.

Silver Ladies defender Ruth scored an own goal  before Atuweni Njilima scored the second goal for Ascent.  Ascent will be making a second appearance in the final having lost 5-3 on post-match penalties to Kukoma Ntopwa Women last year.

Ascent coach Thom Mkolongo was impressed with the performance of the girls.

“We were first and quick on the ball. We showed great character and we want to prove a point this year,” said Mkolongo.

Silver Ladies coach Andrew Chikhosi said his charges were second best on the day.

“We did not play our usual game.  Ascent had a good plan and we accept the results,” said Chikhosi.

For Lionesses, this will be their first ever appearance in the final of the competition.

Fazila Chembekezo scored a brace for Lionesses with the other goal from Mervis Misomali.

Lionesses coach John Kaputa said the girls executed the game-plan well.

” I will always tell the girls to score first before opponents to ease pressure. We will face Ascent, a team that gives us problems but this is a different game and we are ready for them,” said  Kaputa.

Civil coach Collins Pofera accepted defeat. “We gave too much respect to Lionesses and we started the match slowly.  But we gave them a good run for their money,” said Pofera.